Abstract: A method for recording data to optical media is provided. A selection of files to record from a source to a destination optical media is received, and an enumeration of the data files to record to the destination optical media is generated. The enumeration of data files includes the determining of whether any source file is in the enumeration of data files to record to the destination optical media more than one time. A destination file path node is mapped for each data file to be recorded to the destination optical media, and the selection of data files is recorded to the destination optical media. The recording includes only one occurrence of any source file in the enumeration of data files to record to the destination optical media.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, single-sided dual-layer recordable disc 100 may be used. Information recording is performed by forming mark and space portions on data area DA using modulated laser power. Pp denotes the maximum laser power or peak power for forming the mark portion, and Pb denotes the bias power for forming the space portion. Power ratio Pb/Pp is calculated for each of recording layers L0 and L1. Information is recorded on any of the recording layers L0 and L1 based on the result of calculation. Here, the calculated power ratio Pb/Pp changes among the recording layers L0 and L1, thereby optimizing the recording condition for a multi-layer recordable optical disc within relatively short time.

Abstract: A dynamic electrical tester (DET) for testing head gimbal assemblies (HGA) is disclosed. The DET simulates disk drive operation while significantly reducing tester capital investment. Multiple HGAs are tested simultaneously using modular spin stands with shared electronics. This design increases utilization of electronics and minimizes the effect of spindle start/stop time. A parallel array of spin stands with shared electronics is used to reduce tester component and materials cost by multiplexing between the spin stands. The DET has the significant advantage of reducing wait time by making use of the electronics while they are idle during mechanical-related delays. In addition, the DET includes more channels per test head that can readily switch back and forth between the products being tested.

Abstract: A quality-testing apparatus is disclosed for an optical disk of the type that stores optically readable information in the form of a spiral or annular pattern defining a plurality of essentially concentric tracks. The apparatus has a laser light source and a drive mechanism which projects a laser beam spot from the laser light source onto a surface of the optical disk and moves the projected laser beam spot radically over a portion of the disc surface across at least some of the tracks. A light detector detects a reflection from the projected laser beam spot during its movement. The light detector produces a time variant measurement signal (HF) being associated with passages of the moving laser beam spot across respective tracks. A processing device measures the signal amplitude of selected parts of the optical disk and provides an output comprising key parameters such as symmetry and relative signal strength for the annular pattern of pits and lands.

Abstract: The present invention has been made to obtain a magnetic disk apparatus and the like capable of using a patrol region in the magnetic disk to detect a location in need of maintenance in hardware equipment around the magnetic disk in a separate manner from the disk itself and thereby avoiding useless replacement and operating the magnetic disk apparatus at low cost. In a preventive maintenance detection for a magnetic disk apparatus having a patrol function that uses a patrol region in the magnetic disk to determine the presence/absence of the need of preventive maintenance, a data pattern for detecting crosstalk in hardware equipment around the disk is generated, a write command or read command corresponding to the generated data pattern is executed, and the crosstalk is determined/detected based on the command execution result.

Abstract: A device for scanning a record carrier has a head for scanning a track for reading and/or writing information. A disc scheduler controls receiving requests for accessing the record carrier, the requests including streaming requests regarding real time information and auxiliary requests (44) regarding auxiliary information. The disc scheduler reduces power consumption of the device by switching the scanning means to a stand-by mode when no requests are pending and switching the scanning means to an operational mode when a request has to be executed. The auxiliary requests are executed in a processing interval (45) in combination with a selected one of the streaming requests. Hence the number of spin-ups of the record carrier is reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to display a status of an optical recording and/or reproducing apparatus. The method includes, determining a type of an optical disc loaded into a tray; transmitting a predetermined signal based on the determination result to a laser emitting diode module comprising at least two laser emitting diodes, which emit different color beams so that the laser emitting diode module emits a color beam based on the determined type of the optical disc.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus establish manufacturer-specific test writing parameters for writing of a writable optical storage media in accordance with the media manufacturers, which are experimentally determined and stored into a certain storing unit; determine an optimum writing light power based on the determined optimum writing parameters; and write an input signal into the user's data region of the optical disk.

Abstract: An optical recording medium includes an optical recording layer, a separating layer formed on a reproducing light incident side of the optical recording layer, and a phase-change reproducing layer formed on the reproducing light incident side of the separating layer, absorbance of which phase-change reproducing layer is changed depending on whether a state of the optical recording layer is a recording mark or a space. A transfer portion to which a state of the optical recording layer is transferred is formed in a portion having high absorbance of the phase-change reproducing layer by irradiation with reproducing light, while a portion of the phase-change reproducing layer other than the transfer portion is kept in a state optically differing from the transfer portion.

Abstract: A laser beam from a pickup is focused on an information recording medium, such as a DVD-R/RW, to record information. When the power of the laser beam is calibrated, the laser beam emitted from the pickup is received by a light receiving unit such as an FMD. The level of the received laser beam is detected, the power ratio of the laser beam is determined based on the result, and the power of the laser beam is calibrated so that the power ratio matches a predetermined reference power ratio. This method enables information to be recorded with optimum recording characteristic because the reference power ratio shows the power ratio for recording information at the optimum characteristics.

Abstract: An optical disk device record data on a recordable or rewritable optical disk. After a pause and a restart in the constant angular velocity (CAV) method occurs predetermined times due to a cause of a recording error such as a buffer underrun, the data-recording by the CAV method is, for the first time, switched to the data-recording by the constant linear velocity (CLV) method at a recording velocity equal to or less than a recording velocity just before the last pause so as to provide a recording density equal to said constant recording density when said pausing is performed.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for automatically readying a medium. The method comprises monitoring a state of a storage medium using readying logic and determining a physical media type for the storage medium using the readying logic. The method also comprises determining a recorded type for the storage medium using the readying logic and selecting, using the readying logic, a file system type for the storage medium if the storage medium is formatted using a file system. The method further comprises automatically readying the storage medium in response to the determinations and selection.

Abstract: A recording-medium management system comprising: a reproduction part; a recording part; and a control part. The control part performs a first through fourth control. The first control is to obtain a first data line from an authentication region of a recording medium by making the reproduction part read the authentication region, the authentication region including a first data pattern of a RAM bit and a ROM bit, the first data line being corresponding to the first data pattern, the RAM bit being over-writable of data at least once by a first writing condition, and the ROM bit being not over-writable of data by the first writing condition. The second control is to make the recording part overwrite predetermined data to the RAM bit. The third control is to obtain a second data line from the recording-medium, the second data line being corresponding to a second data pattern of the over-written RAM bit and the ROM bit.

Abstract: An environmental load information of an information recording medium is recorded on the information recording medium so as to recycle or dispose properly an information recording medium, which is not necessary any more. The information recording medium comprises a main information area (102) for recording or reproducing information and a recording area (101) for environmental load information, which is recorded with an environmental load information of the information recording medium.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a digital media by a digital media player and displaying the condition of the digital media whether or not the player ejects the digital media, provides useful information for the end user. Preferably, an ASIC of the digital media player measures jitter, HF and BLER and inputs the measured values into a microprocessor of the player. If the measured values are greater than respective pre-established threshold values, the microprocessor tabulates and stores running averages to an electronic memory. If the running averages are excessive, the player will deliver an error message to the end user preferably on an electronic display of the digital media player.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for writing information to, reading information from, and erasing information on a luminescent data storage medium comprising Al2O3. The method includes writing and erasing of the information using photoionization via sequential two-photon absorption and non-destructive reading the information using one-photon absorption and confocal fluorescent detection. The apparatuses for writing and reading the information incorporate confocal detection and spherical aberration correction for multilayer volumetric fluorescent data storage. The methods also allow multilevel recording and readout of information for increased storage capacity.

Abstract: Opto-mechanical adjustment based on sensing the label side of an optical disc is disclosed. The label side of the optical disc is first sensed with an opto-mechanical system. The opto-mechanical system is then adjusted, based on the label side of the optical disc as sensed, for future writing on the label side of the optical disc.

Abstract: In order to evaluate the quality of a signal recorded on an optical recording medium, a target signal is obtained based on a predetermined data string and a predetermined partial response characteristic, and for each clock cycle, an equalization error is calculated that is a difference between the target signal and a signal reproduced each clock cycle. Further, the product of the equalization errors calculated at different times is obtained, and based on the obtained product, the quality of a signal is evaluated.

Abstract: Method of recording control signals on a removable optically readable disc like recording device comprising recording control data representing the physical structure of an optically readable disc. The control data set either being a standardized set of control data corresponding to the record carrier or either being a non-standardized set of control data deviating form the standardized set of control data signals. Preferably the non-standardized set of control data relates to different values for the number of information layers present on the record carrier or the type of record carrier being of the read-only type, recordable or rewritable type. Preferably a user may select the non-standardized set of control data by selecting a corresponding type of playback and/or recording apparatus.

Abstract: A method for determining the recording power of a laser beam so that jitter from a reproduced signal obtained by reproducing data recorded in a data rewritable type optical recording medium can be controlled within a tolerance even when cross erasing of data occurs, the reproduced signal having the highest obtainable level. The power of a laser beam is measured for each level of the recording power of the laser beam. Critical parameters are also calculated for each level of the recording power of the laser beam. The critical parameters are projected onto a data rewritable type optical recording medium for recording data therein. A data recording apparatus storing a critical parameter used for determining the power of a laser beam is associated with ID data for identifying the kind of optical recording medium. A data recording apparatus storing an optimum recording power used for determining the power of a laser beam is also associated with ID data for identifying the kind of optical recording medium.

Abstract: A method for determining the recording power of a laser beam so that jitter from a reproduced signal obtained by reproducing data recorded in a data rewritable type optical recording medium can be controlled within an acceptable tolerance even when cross erasing of data occurs. The power of a laser beam is measured for each level of the recording power of the laser beam. Critical parameters are calculated for each level of the recording power of the laser beam. The critical parameters are projected onto a data rewritable type optical recording medium for recording data therein. Direct overwriting required for saturating an influence of cross erasing of data is performed x times in one embodiment to determine a critical parameter. A data recording apparatus storing a critical parameter used for determining the power of a laser beam is associated with ID data for identifying the kind of optical recording medium.

Abstract: A disk apparatus includes a slot. A magnetooptical disk is attached to the slot. When the slot is closed, a system controller inputs a corresponding signal to a CPU. The CPU applies a read-out command of disk information to the disk controller. The disk controller drives a spindle motor, an optical pick-up and a recording head in order to read-out vacant capacity information from the magnetooptical disk. The read-out vacant capacity information is sent back to the CPU, and then saved in a flash memory by the CPU.

Abstract: This invention relates to optical discs that preferably include multiple data layers and are configured to receive analytes which can be detected by an optical disc reader. The optical disc reader may be a standard optical disc reader or an optical disc reader modified therefrom. The optical disc may include (1) a first layer including optically readable structures which have encoded tracking information, and speed information enabling an optical disc reader to rotate the optical disc at a speed that is determinable from the speed information; (2) a second layer including optically readable structures; and (3) an analyte section capable of receiving an analyte which can be read by the optical disc reader.

Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus improved is provided with: an optical pickup (11) for reading record information recorded on an optical disc (100) and outputting a read signal; an error correction circuit (15) for executing an error correction process with respect to the outputted read signal and outputting output data through the error correction process corresponding to the record information; and a buffering memory device (17) for buffering the outputted output data. The apparatus is further provided with a microcomputer (20) for altering the error correction process in the error correction circuit depending on a memory status of the buffering memory device, if in the error correcting device, an error is detected in the read signal or an error ratio of the error becomes greater than a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A method for long seeking control of an optical read/write head is disclosed. The optical read/write head includes a sled moved by a sled motor, and a lens mounted on the sled and moved by a lens actuator, and said method includes steps of determining a velocity profile according to a desired travel distance of the optical read/write head; detecting an instant velocity and an instantaneous position of the optical read/write head at a certain time spot; comparing the instant velocity with a target velocity corresponding to the instantaneous position according to the velocity profile; modifying velocities of the sled and the lens according to the comparing result; and dynamically adjusting a position of the lens in the sled. An apparatus for long seeking control of an optical read/write head is also disclosed.

Abstract: A disk drive determines whether or not a currently loaded disk is a gravity center deviated disk based on a tracking error signal detected at different disk rotation speeds.

Abstract: A write abort algorithm of a tracking and focus servo system that can abort a write operation on an optical disk drive is presented. The write abort algorithm monitors at least one of a tracking error signal or a focus error signal and indicates a write abort status when the tracking error signal or the focus error signal indicates a threshold value. In some embodiments, the write abort algorithms suspends indication of the write abort status in the presence of a defect, suspension of the write abort status occurs more than a predetermined number of times.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus establish manufacturer-specific test writing parameters for writing of a writable optical storage media in accordance with the media manufacturers, which are experimentally determined and stored into a certain storing unit; determine an optimum writing light power based on the determined optimum writing parameters; and write an input signal into the user's data region of the optical disk.

Abstract: This invention directs to an optical disc assembly configured to receive an analyte which can be detected by a standard optical disc reader or an optical disc reader modified therefrom. The optical disc assembly may preferably be designed so that the optical disc reader can track the disc and detect the analyte concurrently and discriminably. The optical disc assembly contains or encodes optically readable features which are trackable by the optical disc reader and which have encoded speed information enabling the optical disc reader to rotate the optical disc assembly at a determinable speed. The optical disc assembly also includes an analyte section capable of receiving the analyte that can be detected by the optical disc reader.

Abstract: A program product is used by a control computer of an optical disc apparatus. The apparatus accesses plural types of optical discs. The control computer recognizes one type of optical disc out of the plural types of optical discs based on history information including a type of optical disc used in times past according to the program. The control computer then judges whether the type of set optical disc is identified with the recognized type of optical disc.

Abstract: A processing machine, in particular a processing center, with a spindle, a tool clamping device, a converter unit with a spindle motor, at least one oscillation sensor and a balancing apparatus is disclosed. The oscillation sensor(s) and the balancing device are connected for signal transmission with a control device of a converter unit. The control device includes a balancing program. The processing machine with this type of automatic balancing system requires less wiring and less space than conventional systems.

Abstract: An optical disc drive for reading encoded information, such as on a CD, CD-R, or DVD, is modified to read biological or chemical investigational features from a disc. The modifications can include software changes or the addition of hardware desirably without the need to modify the disc drive electronics.

Abstract: A recording apparatus having a microphone unit; and a drive unit adapted to drive a disk medium on which sound collected by the microphone unit is to be recorded. The recording apparatus is capable of changing a rotational speed of the drive unit in accordance with a level of the sound collected by the microphone unit.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical disc assembly capable of receiving an insert upon which an analyte of interest may be disposed. The optical disc assembly can be read by an optical disc reader, such as by a standard CD or DVD reader, and the analyte disposed on the insert can be detected by the optical disc reader. The optical disc assembly may have one or more data layer in which operational information or assay information is encoded. Hologram may be used to encode operational information or assay information.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus for recording test data onto an optical disk while changing the level of recording power and determines the optimum recording power with reference to the quality of a reproduced signal of the test data. A modulation degree or a ? value is calculated from a reproduced signal of the test data, and the gradient of a change of the modulation degree or the ? value relative to the recording power Pw is calculated. Further, a target recording power is determined utilizing an area where the gradient of the change is relatively sharp, and the optimum recording power is determined based on the target recording power.

Abstract: A method is designed for controlling a power of a laser beam irradiated onto a track of an optical disc for recording of data at a given linear velocity.

Abstract: A system and method of operation information collection for CD-ROM drives. The system includes a CD-ROM drive system, a reception device and a computer host. The CD-ROM drive system outputs operation information to the reception device through a serial communication interface according to a start transmission signal. The reception device stores the operation information in storage, and transmits the operation information to the computer host in real time, or selectivity, transmits all received operation information to the computer host at a time according to a trigger, such that he computer host can analyze the operation information and perform related operations.

Abstract: Recording information is disclosed in which an information recording medium is irradiated with a recording energy beam that is power-modulated into at least a record power level and a record-ready power level lower than the record power level. The information is recorded on the recording medium in the form of length and interval of a mark portion. When forming a mark portion of a predetermined length, the radiation energy of the energy beam is increased as compared with when forming a mark portion of a different length before or after the first pulse of an energy beam pulse train including at least a pulse for forming the mark portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and recording device for selecting an optimal write strategy for a specific type of optical recording disk. Such an optimal write strategy is selected even when the optical recording disk is of a type that has not been previously encountered or when the optical recording disk is otherwise unrecognized by an optical disk drive. The optimal write strategy and associated settings are selected from a set of write strategies stored in a disk drive. The disk drive bases its selection of the write strategy on the performance results of test writings conducted on the optical disk. The method entails testing the write strategies first at the maximum possible write speed and if necessary, at successively lower speeds until a write strategy that achieves a minimum acceptable write quality is identified or until the minimum write speed is reached. The selected optimal write strategy may be stored in the recording device or, alternatively, on the optical recording disk itself.

Abstract: An optical recording method and apparatus with different recording rates are provided for effectively increasing the average recording rate. The optical recording method includes the steps of: controlling a recording rate with a constant linear velocity (CLV) control mode; recording data; judging whether the recording rate has to be increased according to a rotating speed of a spindle motor or a recording position; and performing a process for changing the rotating speed if the recording rate is increased, and continuing recording data at the same recording rate if the recording rate is not increased. The step for changing the rotating speed includes the steps of: pausing recording data; registering a paused zone of a disc; determining a new rotating speed of the spindle motor, and driving the spindle motor at the new rotating speed; and linking recording zones to continue recording data at a new recording rate from the paused zone, when the rotating speed of the spindle motor is stable.

Abstract: A rotational positioning apparatus that comprises an apparatus for moving a head or disk and that positions the head relative to the disk, with this rotational positioning apparatus capable of both static positioning and dynamic positioning, also comprises a processor for generating one positioning command to be input to a movement apparatus from two positioning commands.

Abstract: When an audio signal and music piece name information are recorded onto a CD-R, timing for inputting the music piece name information is not restricted to timing just before “finalize”. An ID is allocated to the CD-R inserted into a recorder and written into a PMA and a memory. The audio signal is recorded into a PGA on the CD-R. The music piece name information and the like are inputted by text data and stored into the memory in correspondence to the ID. Upon “finalize”, the text data is read out from the memory and written as TOC information into a lead-in on the CD-R. In case of ejecting the CD-R without finalizing, a track number, start time, and end time are recorded into the PMA. The ID and the text data are held in the memory. When this CD-R is subsequently inserted, they can be read out from the memory on the basis of the ID. Before “finalize”, the text data which is recorded as TOC information can be inputted anytime.

Abstract: A motor controlling device includes an acceleration detector for detecting an acceleration of a motor; a motor driver for supplying a driving current to the motor; a heat quantity calculator for calculating a heat quantity generated in the motor at least based on an output from the acceleration detector; and a motor controller for controlling the motor driver based on the heat quantity.

Abstract: A calibration method for an optical disk drive is presented. The operating parameters of an optical disk drive are initially calibrated when the disk drive is produced or during a repair step. The disk drive is then field calibrated during normal operation. Operating parameters can be field calibrated during power up. Further, operating parameters can be field calibrated when a new optical media is inserted into the optical disk drive. Additionally, operating parameters can be field calibrated during error recovery.

Abstract: An adjustment method for optical pick-up including a light source for emitting light beams, an object lens for irradiating light beams onto an optical disc for adjustment and a drive portion for driving the object lens in a direction in parallel to the optical axis of the object lens and in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis thereof, wherein in the state where the light source is movably held with respect to the object lens and the drive portion is movably held with respect to the light source, light beams are irradiated onto an optical disc for adjustment concentrically having recording tracks from the optical pick-up to adjust relative position of the object lens with respect to the light source and inclination of the optical axis of the object lens, and an optical disc for adjustment used in such an adjustment method.

Abstract: A method of controlling a recording speed of an optical disc recording system includes detecting error information with respect to a level of a servo control signal of the optical disc recording system, and adjusting the recording speed of the optical disc recording system with reference to the error information.

Abstract: An adjustment method for optical pick-up including a light source for emitting light beams, an object lens for irradiating light beams onto an optical disc for adjustment and a drive portion for driving the object lens in a direction in parallel to the optical axis of the object lens and in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis thereof, wherein in the state where the light source is movably held with respect to the object lens and the drive portion is movably held with respect to the light source, light beams are irradiated onto an optical disc for adjustment concentrically having recording tracks from the optical pick-up to adjust relative position of the object lens with respect to the light source and inclination of the optical axis of the object lens, and an optical disc for adjustment used in such an adjustment method.

Abstract: A smart retry operation, or set of retry procedures to be performed in sequence, that optimizes itself for a data storage device's individual characteristics, including variations across the data storage media and variations introduced as the device degrades over time, is disclosed. The data storage media (e.g. a disc in a disc drive) is divided into a number of zones and a separate smart retry operation is maintained for each zone. The data storage media is then tested to find errors correctable by the retry procedures. A statistical likelihood for each retry procedure is developed. The sequential order of the retry procedures in each zone's operation is then optimized based on the statistics. A single read/write retry sequences or separate read and write retry sequences may be maintained. The retry operations may be constantly re-optimized over the lifetime of the data storage device.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus for recording, reproducing or erasing an information signal by converging a light flux onto a recording layer through a transparent substrate. The apparatus includes one or a plurality of optical heads having a plurality of objective lenses whose aberrations have respectively been corrected for a plurality of disc substrates of different thicknesses, a cartridge for enclosing the optical disc, a discrimination hole which is formed on the cartridge, and a sensor for detecting the opening/closing state of the discrimination hole and for generating a discrimination signal. In accordance with the result of the discrimination as to the thickness of the loaded optical disc, the objective lens, in which the occurrence of the aberration is smallest, is used, so that the information signal can preferably be recorded, reproduced or erased onto/from the optical discs having different substrate thicknesses.

Abstract: Large characters and numerals of a lapse time, a musical program title, or the like of a musical program under the performance recorded on a photomagnetic disc can be displayed, and an inadvertent erase of a musical program can be prevented. The TNO and lapse time of each musical program during the performance are displayed on a display unit as shown in FIG. 3 at (f). Under this condition, when a title key is depressed, the title for the TNO is displayed for a predetermined time period on the display unit as shown in FIG. 3 at (g). After the predetermined time period, the lapse time for the TNO is displayed as shown in FIG. 3 at (h). When an erase key is depressed during the performance of a musical program, a controller erases the disc management information and additional information for the TNO from a RAM storing U-TOC information, and renumbers other TNOs to update the contents of RAM.