Abstract: An information recording apparatus and method can prevent an information recording medium having a plurality of recording layers from being incompatible with a reproduction-only information recording medium due to an unrecorded area, which is produced by completion of recording in a middle of a data area of the recording layer. The recording layers include at least a first recording layer and a second recording layer, the first recording layer providing a reference with respect to a position of said data area in each of the recording layers. The user data is recorded in response to a recording request. After recording the user data, predetermined data is recorded in a predetermined unrecorded area in the second recording layer.

Abstract: A recording medium, such as a high-density and/or read-only recording medium including a data area including at least two data sections and a linking area to link neighboring data sections, the linking area including at least two frame sync signals, where values of the at least two frame sync signals maintain uniqueness, and to methods and apparatuses for forming, recording, and reproducing the recording medium.

Abstract: For use in copying data between a plurality of recording media, the present invention provides a data processing device adds up the amounts of data on a plurality of files recorded on a transmitting medium to thereby detect the total amount of copy data, displays an intermediate result of addition on a display unit while updating the result displayed during a process from the start of addition of the amounts of file data until the completion of addition and displays the final result of addition on the display unit upon the completion of addition. The user is unlikely to feel uneasy even when the detection of the total amount of copy data takes time.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus (300) is provided with: a recording device (352) for recording record information into a first or second recording layer by irradiating thereon laser light; a first controlling device (354) for controlling the recording device to record the record information into a first object area of the second recording layer which faces a recorded area of the first recording layer; and a second controlling device (354) for controlling the recording device to record the record information into a second object area of the second recording layer which faces an unrecorded area of the first recording layer smaller than a predetermined width, out of an unrecorded area whose both ends are adjacent to the recorded area.

Abstract: A recording method for recording, on a write once type information recording medium, management information representing a recording state of the write once type information recording medium is provided. The information recording medium includes data including a first synchronization signal. The information recording medium has a second synchronization signal pre-recorded by cutting. The recording method includes the steps of (a) performing a recording operation for recording the management information at a predetermined position of the information recording medium based on the first synchronization signal; (b) determining whether the recording operation in step (a) is normally terminated or not; and (c) when the recording operation in step (a) is not normally terminated, performing a recording operation for recording the management information at the predetermined position of the information recording medium based on the second synchronization signal.

Abstract: In a write once type optical disc, when ejecting the disc and turning power OFF, it is necessary to update record management data on the disc so that the record management data on the disc coincide with the record management data on the memory. Here, the update of the record management data on the disc requires a certain time. The present invention provides a user-friendly recording/reproduction apparatus including a unit for judging whether the disc record management information can be updated according to the ratio of the recorded capacity with respect to the recording-enabled capacity. Upon completion of the user data recording, the disc record management information is recorded so that the record management data is not updated when power is turned OFF or the disc is ejected, thereby reducing the time required for the power turning OFF and the disc ejection.

Abstract: A disc-shaped information recording medium has a first and a second recording layer. A buffer area is arranged adjacent to a recording area of each of the layers for preventing deviation of the recording position onto/from each of the layers. A first part of the information is written along a first track path on the first recording layer, a predetermined amount of first buffer data in a part of the buffer area of the first recording layer is written into the first recording layer, and inter-layer jump is performed from the first recording layer to the second recording layer. A predetermined amount of second buffer data in the buffer area of the second recording layer is written in the second recording layer and write element is controlled to write a second part of the information to be recorded, on the second recording layer by changing the recording direction.

Abstract: A method for determining the completeness of an optical disc and a method for playing the optical disc are provided. The method for playing the optical disc includes: performing focusing on and tracking on the optical disc; detecting whether the optical disc contains any data if the focusing on succeeds while the tracking on fails; if the optical disc contains data, turning on a servo system to perform focusing on and tracking on to the area containing the data and determining whether a file information area contains a file system; if the file information area does not contain any file system, reading the outmost data in a video data area to locate a file allocation data table; and playing the data stored in the video data area according to the file allocation data table.

Abstract: A recording medium, such as a high-density and/or read-only recording medium including a data area including at least two data sections and a linking area to link neighboring data sections, the linking area including dummy data, and to methods and apparatuses for forming, recording, and reproducing the recording medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for controlling the record and reproduction of optical record medium in which plural non-record regions having different phase are arranged between recordable data regions for the distinction in the shape of the data region. The method and apparatus performs the servo using focus error signal and tracking error signal averaged by the low pass filter at the header region of the optical disc. Especially, the tracking servo is performed by holding a fixed DC off-set value at the header region existing on the L/G switching or holding the tracking error value of the previous same track region. As a result, the exact header region is detected, the track sliding phenomenon is removed, and the tracking servo is stabilized, resulting in preventing the degeneration of the record and reproduction characteristics.

Abstract: A method and a device of distinguishing blank area from non-blank area in an optical disc are provided. An input signal such as a DPD TE signal or RF ripple signal is first filtered to obtain a filtered signal. A subtracting operation of the input signal and the filtered signal is then performed to obtain a first signal. According to a peak value and a bottom value of the first signal, the first signal is processed into a second signal. By comparing the second signal with a reference signal, whether the currently read area is blank area or non-blank area can be discriminated. An indicating signal is outputted at a first value to indicate the blank area while the indicating signal is outputted at a second value to indicate the non-blank area.

Abstract: A device for recording information writes marks in a track on a record carrier of a re-writable type. The device records the information according to a predefined recording format like DVD for constituting a recording area containing user data preceded by a lead-in zone. The device has a formatting unit (36) for formatting the record carrier. First it is detected if the record carrier has been recorded before. If so, a size is determined of a pre-existing contiguously written area that extends from the beginning of the recording area. The formatting includes writing data on the record carrier indicating that the recording area does not contain user data. Formatting status information is provided on the record carrier indicating the size of the pre-existing contiguously written 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: To surely write data readably into a region of a designated address even if an unwritten region exists ahead of the designated address. A step of registering beforehand an address map attached to an unwritten region of the data writing area; a step of judging whether an address located ahead of the designated address for writing data is an unwritten region or a written region; and a step of writing data into the data writing area of the optical disc based on the judgment result, are included. In the writing step, if the address located ahead of the designated address is judged as a written region, data writing is performed starting from a region of the designated address, and if the address located ahead of the designated address is judged as an unwritten region, the data writing is performed to unwritten regions including the aforementioned unwritten region.

Abstract: An optical disc medium includes a system area and a data area. The system area includes a recording operation test area to which a trial recording operation is carried out to determine an optimal record condition when data is recorded in the data area; a record control data area where data necessary to record user data on the data area is recorded; and a user data lead-in area necessary to reproduce the user data from the optical disc medium. Dummy data are recorded to a portion of the record control data area on a side of the user data lead-in area to prevent a track-out when the data area is accessed.

Abstract: An optical disk medium in which a learning area can be expanded, an optical disk information recording method and an optical disk apparatus are provided. A first lead-in area and second lead-in area are provided on the inner side and outer side of a data area. The first lead-in area includes a first learning area, management information recording area and data connection area and the second lead-in area includes a protection area which protects the user data in the inner portion thereof and a second learning area which is provided on the outer side of the protection area and sets an optimum condition for an operation of recording data into the data area. An area in which information indicating the utilization state of the protection area is recorded is prepared in one of the management information recording area and data connection 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: The present invention provides a method for reading information recorded in a boundary area adjacent to a boundary between a first area and a second area on an optical disc. The method includes: controlling a pick-up head (PUH) to detect the optical disc to generate a detection signal accordingly; moving the PUH along a first direction from a start point; monitoring the detection signal and stopping the PUH when the detection signal changes; moving the PUH along a second direction; monitoring the detection signal and stopping the PUH in the boundary area of the first area when the detection signal changes; and reading the information recorded in the boundary area of the first area by the PUH.

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

Abstract: 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: An optical disc player and method reproducing data from an optical disc. The optical disc player may include a data reproducing module irradiating a laser signal onto the optical disc to reproduce a predetermined radio frequency signal corresponding to the data, and a controller determining that a reproduction area of the optical disc is an open session when the data reproducing module reproduces the radio frequency signal having a magnitude less than or equal a predetermined threshold value for a predetermined threshold time. The controller may reproduce the table of contents information recorded in a lead-in area of each session of the optical disc to check the magnitude of a reproduced radio frequency signal so as to determine whether each session is open. As a result, a rapid decision can be made as to whether each session is open to speedily complete a preparation for reproduction and recording from/to the optical disc.

Abstract: A method, medium, and apparatus for determining whether an optical disc is copy protected. The method includes measuring the level of radio frequency (RF) sum signals read from an optical disc, and establishing a gain of the RF sum signal; checking RF sum signals from an area of the optical disc in which no data is written; establishing a predetermined threshold level of the RF sum signals by using the RF sum signals read from a data recording area of the optical disc; comparing the level of the RF sum signals measured from the area in which no data is written with the sum of the level of the RF sum signals measured from the data recording area and the threshold level, and according to the comparison result, measuring the size of the area in which no data is written to determine whether the optical disc is a copy protected disc.

Abstract: There is provided an information recording device for recording record information onto an information recording medium having a plurality of recording layers. The information recording device includes: write elements capable of writing record information into the recording layers; control elements for controlling the write elements to write first boundary information or second boundary information (107a-0) having a smaller recording capacity than the first boundary information at the end of record information recorded in one of the recording layers; and detection elements for detecting an empty capacity of the data area in that recording layer. The control elements controls the write elements to write the first boundary information at the end if the empty capacity is equal to or greater than a first threshold value and the second boundary information at the end if the detected empty capacity is smaller than the first threshold value.

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: To enable a physically rewritable disc to be appropriately used as a write-once type. When the rewritable disc is used in rewritable application, the position where writing of a predetermined data unit (for example, an ECC block) in data is started is set to a first position with respect to a reference position to record or play back the data. In contrast, when the rewritable disc is used in write-once application, the position where writing of the predetermined data unit in the data is started is set to a second position different from first position to record or play back the data.

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 for reproducing contents of an information recording medium, having at least one data zone, is disclosed, wherein a determination is made as to whether the entirety of a requested reproduction zone included in the data zone of the information recording medium contains data, or at least a part thereof belongs to a non-recorded zone at a predetermined timing on or after a point in time when the reproduction request is made. Then, when a reproduction request is made for a reproduction zone including such non-recorded zone, it is subsequently determined at the predetermined timing that the non-recorded zone is present in the reproduction zone, and an error process starts.

Abstract: Prior to recording, a difference between a disc's temporal, maximum recordable length and a temporal length having been consumed by recording data is calculated. A scale is determined to allow a length of a period of a preprogrammed recording to be relatively matched on a timebase bar with the obtained difference's temporal length. Relative to the length of the period of the preprogrammed recording, an amount indicating a shortage of the difference's temporal length is calculated. An image of the timebase bar is created and the determined scale is used to create on the bar an image indicating the calculated amount of shortage, and these images are integrally displayed. Furthermore, if the current recording location and time shift reproduction location are also obtained, these locations are displayed on the same timebase bar.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting position of blank areas for an optical disc in an optical disc drive according to a wobble signal and a blank signal includes an address decoder for generating a physical address value according to the wobble signal; a counting device coupled to the address decoder for generating a count value according to the wobble signal; and a decision circuit coupled to the counting device for determining whether the count value is within a predetermined range when the edge of the blank signal occurs. If the count value is within the predetermined range when the blank edge occurs, the decision circuit generates a position value corresponding to a blank area of the optical disc.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for controlling a beginning point of an optical pick-up unit. The optical pick-up unit moves to a beginning point of an optical disc such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) to execute a servo-tuning function at the beginning point. The method includes a) performing a focus search operation on an optical disc and at the same time determining whether there is a reflection signal from the optical disc; b) after performing the focus search operation, moving the optical pick-up unit toward a predetermined beginning point of the optical disc based on the result of the determining step; and c) based on the reflection signal from the optical disc, determining whether or not the optical pick-up unit has moved to the beginning point of the optical disc while the optical pick-up unit is in motion.

Abstract: In a write-once recording medium, an optimum updating of the management information and a simple matching processing are to be achieved. To this end, in a system of a write-once medium, rendered accessible at random by employing the write/non-write indicating information, the management information, including a space bitmap and the last recording position information (LRA) indicating the last position of the recorded user data, is updated on the disc responsive to the generation or extinction of a gap (unrecorded area) in a region ahead of the LRA. The state of matching between the management information on the disc and the recording state of the user data is confirmed, responsive to the updating of the management information on the disc by the generation or extinction of the gap in the management information, by detecting whether or not the gap in the management information (gap indicated by the space bitmap) or the LRA is coincident with the gap or the LRA on the actual disc.

Abstract: In an information recording device and method, user data are recorded in a recording medium having two or more recording layers and having a data area in which user data is recordable for each recording layer. A closing command is received after recording of user data in the data area of the recording medium is performed in response to a user-data write request. A minimum amount of lead-out data are written to the recording medium following an end position of the recorded user data in the data area of the recording medium, based on the received closing command.

Abstract: A recording method for recording, on a write once type information recording medium, management information representing a recording state of the write once type information recording medium is provided. The information recording medium includes data including a first synchronization signal. The information recording medium has a second synchronization signal pre-recorded by cutting. The recording method includes the steps of (a) performing a recording operation for recording the management information at a predetermined position of the information recording medium based on the first synchronization signal; (b) determining whether the recording operation in step (a) is normally terminated or not; and (c) when the recording operation in step (a) is not normally terminated, performing a recording operation for recording the management information at the predetermined position of the information recording medium based on the second synchronization signal.

Abstract: A boundary detection apparatus is provided that can quickly and accurately detect an end of a recorded area even if there is a defect caused by a scratch or a extraneous matter adhered on the recording face of a CD, or the CD itself is decentered. When it is detected that information is recorded at a predetermined dividing point B, a pickup is moved to a dividing point C located ahead seen from the dividing point B after moving. On the other hand, when it is detected that information is not recorded at the dividing point B, the pickup is moved to a dividing point A located on the opposite side from the dividing point B, and the pickup is further moved after the end containing range is ultimately determined. Thus, an end is detected.

Abstract: Files are encrypted and stored on a WORM media device along with their encryption keys, the binary values of which are stored as a combination of written and unwritten sectors in a key storage portion of the media. To shred a file, the associated key is destroyed simply by writing into the unwritten sectors that are associated with the key.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus including a waiting position determining circuit which detects physical properties of each region in an optical disk after recording or reproducing processing is finished and decides a waiting position of an optical head according to the detection, and various kinds of control mechanisms which controls a position of the optical head according to the decided waiting position in order to move the optical head, is provided. By making the optical head wait at a position before two or more tracks in an unrecorded region, the recording processing can be resumed stably and surely and the recording processing can be preferentially performed in the remaining unrecorded region.

Abstract: A method for discriminating between different types of optical discs is intended to apply to an optical storage device with a pick-up head having three beams. A main beam push-pull signal and a sub-beam push-pull signal, both acquired by means of the photo-detector of the pick-up head, are superposed on each other to have an additive push-pull signal, whereas, on subtraction, the difference between the main beam push-pull signal and the sub-beam push-pull signal generates a differential push-pull signal. If the peak-to-peak voltage of the differential push-pull signal is greater than that of the additive push-pull signal, it is judged that the light spots derived from the sub-beams and the main beam of the three beams respectively fall on two contiguous lands and a groove therebetween on an optical disc inside the optical storage device.

Abstract: A method for performing blank detection on an optical storage disc includes buffering first information read by an optical storage device from the optical storage disc to generate buffered data, and checking corresponding data of an Error Correction Code (ECC) block in the buffered data to determine if the ECC block is a blank ECC block.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an optical recording/reproducing apparatus capable of improving medium usability through a laser power adjusting process while keeping compatibility with a read only type medium. The optical recording/reproducing apparatus adjusts laser power using a PCA till the PCA is used up. After the PCA is used up, an additional area is reserved at the outermost circumference position, thereafter when the additional area is used up, a new additional area is reserved at an inner circumference side of the used up additional area to adjust laser power. The additional area is reserved at an outer circumference than a lead-out area, and therefore format compatibility with a read only type optical disc can be maintained. The additional area is reserved only when the PCA is used up, thus capacity compatibility with a read only type optical disc can be maintained while laser power is adjusted with only the PCA.

Abstract: An optical disk reproducing device has a defect-signal generating circuit including a peak-holding-signal generating circuit for generating a peak-hold signal based on an RF signal read from a recording medium, an intermediate-signal generating circuit for generating an intermediate signal based on the peak-hold signal, a signal-level adjusting circuit for generating a threshold signal based on the intermediate signal, a threshold-signal adjusting circuit for adjusting the level of the threshold signal, and a comparator for generating a defect signal based on the peak-hold signal and threshold signal. The threshold-signal adjusting circuit includes at least one of: a first adjusting circuit for raising the threshold signal in the event the peak-hold signal falls below the threshold signal due to the peak-hold signal and the threshold signal being reversed; and a second adjusting circuit for lowering the threshold signal in the event the peak-hold signal exceeds the threshold signal, due to the reversal.

Abstract: An information storage apparatus that stores data in a recording medium, retrieves control information of the recording medium, identifies remaining unrecorded regions in the recording medium based on the control information, stores data only in the unrecorded regions, and updates items of the control information corresponding to the recorded regions so that the information storage apparatus can skip the recorded regions when it stores data in the recording medium next time. The information storage apparatus can reduce time required for certifying the recording medium.

Abstract: A method for searching for at least one recordable area in which real time data can be recorded from at least one empty area included in an information recording medium includes a first step of setting at least one of a starting end and a terminating end of the section so as to match at least one of a starting end and a terminating end of at least one empty area, and determining whether or not the section fulfills an unused area condition regarding the size and the number; and a second step of determining at least one empty area, included in an area on an information recording medium including at least one section fulfilling the unused area condition, as a recordable area in which real time data can be recorded.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus and method for controlling the information processing apparatus where the information processing apparatus stores a plurality of start programs in a first or second storage area, and if a selected start program is not already stored in the first storage area, the start program is transferred from the second storage area to the first storage area.

Abstract: In performing reproduction of optical discs, when a request to perform a data reproduction operation is received, it is detected whether finalization data is written to a finalization indicator region of an optical disc, and a record-related servo adjustment operation is performed if finalization data is not written to the finalization indicator region. In addition, a reproduction-related servo adjustment operation is performed, and the data reproduction operation is performed.

Abstract: According to the present invention, even if tracking fails during reproduction of information from an optical disk and a movement is made to an adjoining track, the reliability of data to be transferred is improved and a countermeasure can be taken immediately. An unrecorded area decision unit decides based on the amplitude of a reproduction signal whether a block concerned is a recorded area or an unrecorded area. A track-off detection unit monitors a tracking servo signal, detects occurrence of a tracking failure, and registers a block, which is recognized as an area where the tracking failure has occurred. If the block is an unrecorded area and recognized as an area where a tracking failure has occurred, reproduction is ceased but data signifying that the block is an unrecorded area is not transferred to an upper-level system and retry is performed to achieve reproduction.

Abstract: An asymmetry measurement apparatus is disclosed. The asymmetry measurement apparatus is designed for detecting the recorded data reproduction waveform of an optical storage device in digital domain. The asymmetry measurement apparatus includes an Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) for converting an analog signal to a digital signal; a detection unit for detecting plurality values of the digital signal; and an asymmetry calculation unit for generating an asymmetry value of the digital signal according to the plurality values.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for searching for a writable area of a write-once information recording medium, comprising a searching portion and a control portion. The searching portion searches for an unrecorded area using a prescribed address as a reference. The control portion provides a candidate address indicating a candidate for a writable area based on a result of the search, and performs a determination procedure for determining whether or not there is a defective area address indicating an address matching the candidate address in defect management information. When it is determined that there is not the defective area address indicating an address matching the candidate address, the control portion determines an area indicated by the candidate address as the writable area.

Abstract: A data recording controller for properly adding data to a disc medium. The controller includes a data location counter for performing counting in synchronism with reproduction of data written to an optical disc. An LPP location counter performs counting in synchronization with reproduction of a disc address recorded to the optical disc. A detection circuit detects the difference between a data format address recorded to the optical disc and an optical disc address recorded to the optical disc from count values of the two counters. A control unit calculates a recording initiation address from the detected difference. A timing control circuit determines a timing for starting the recording of additional data from the recording initiation address.

Abstract: A writable area detection device for an optical recording/reproducing apparatus comprises a waveform rectification unit for comparing an RF signal read from a user data area of a recording medium with a reference signal, and outputting a rectified pulse signal; a pulse generation unit for generating a signal having a pulse width including a section in which a high frequency signal of the rectified pulse signal is regularly distributed; a latch unit for latching the signal generated in the pulse generation unit; and a detection unit for detecting the section in which the high frequency signal is regularly distributed by using an output signal of the latch unit and an output signal of the pulse generation unit.

Abstract: A method of an embodiment of the invention rotates an optical disc having an optically writable label side. The optical disc is radially scanned with a laser incident to the optically writable label side, from a first edge of the optical disc to a second edge of the optical disc. While the laser is radially scanned from the first edge to the second edge of the optical disc, a first radius at which markings have not been written to the optically writable label side of the optical disc, next to a second radius at which markings have been written to the optically writable label side of the optical disc, is detected.