Abstract: Of (A+B) signal and (C+D) signal for detecting a radial push-pull signal, the (A+B) signal is multiplied with a predetermined coefficient k. The predetermined coefficient k is changed appropriately depending on an error rate upon decoding a land pre-pit, a lens shift amount of an objective lens of an optical pickup, and the levels of a land pre-pit signal and a wobbling signal relative to the level of (A+B+C+D) signal. Consequently, the land pre-pit on an optical disc can be detected securely at a high precision at any time of recording time and reproduction time.

Abstract: A tracking control method and a tracking control apparatus in a recorded information reproducing apparatus which can execure an accurate tracking control even if recording tracks formed on a recording disk have a narrow track pitch. A tracking offset component is detected based on a balance between crosstalk amounts from the recording tracks adjacent to both sides of the recording track serving as a reading target and is subtracted from a tracking error signal, thereby performing a tracking offset correction.

Abstract: There is provided a control circuit for arithmetically processing at least one of focus-directional and tracking-directional position error signals, and adding the arithmetic operation result as an input amount to a coil for driving in the opposite direction. The control circuit produces such a control signal as to cancel the effect of an oscillation mode of an objective lens holder. An output determination circuit temporarily restricts functions of the control circuit when the determination circuit has determined that a disturbance component is mixed in the position error signal. Thereby, even in the case of slight displacement, the objective lens can be controlled independently in the focusing and tracking directions while avoiding interference movement in both directions.

Abstract: An information recording reproducing apparatus for recording and/or reproducing informations on and/or from an optical recording medium. The apparatus comprises a light source, at least two objective lenses corresponding to at least two kinds of optical recording media having different thicknesses of a protective layer, respectively, a rotatable holder for supporting these objective lenses, magnetically activatable selection elements for selecting these objective lenses in accordance with the optical recording medium, the light of the light source being illuminated on the optical recording medium through the objective lens selected by the magnetically activatable selection elements, thereby performing recording and/or reproducing of the information.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information on and/or from a magneto-optical disk including an optical head for projecting a laser beam onto a magneto-optical disk and receiving the laser beam reflected by the disk, an up-down block arranged movably between a lower position and an upper position, an up-down motor for moving said up-down block up and down, a turntable for supporting the disk and a spindle motor secured to said up-down block and having a driving shaft coupled with said turntable for rotating the turntable, a position detecting device for detecting a position of said up-down block to derive a position signal when the up-down block is driven into the upper position, a rotation detecting device for detecting a rotation of said optical information record disk to derive a rotation signal when the optical information record disk is rotated at a predetermined revolving speed, and a control device for initiating a focus control for moving said objective lens and turntable relative to each

Abstract: A system and method are provided for processing signals in a magneto-optical computer memory device to detect mispositioning of a head with respect to a track centerline. A light beam is scanned over a first and a second set of radially offset optically-detectable position marks formed in the rotating medium surface. A detector receives the reflected light beam and responsively generates a position signal having a plurality of pulses corresponding to the position marks. The position signal is then passed through a differentiator circuit. The differentiated position signal may then be applied to low pass filter and resonator circuits, and is subsequently conveyed to a finite time integrator for rectification and detection of the areas of the pulses associated with the first and second set of position marks. Mispositioning of the head is detected by comparing the pulse areas of the first and second set of position marks.

Abstract: The present invention provides a track traverse signal detecting circuit which controls the level of a reference voltage by calculating a mean value of a track traverse signal, or adjusting the frequency or the phase of the track traverse signal. The track traverse signal detecting circuit further determines whether the disc is a CD or a DVD, and controls the level of the reference voltage accordingly, and then detects the accurate track traverse signal. Therefore, in case of track jump or random access, the track access operation can be performed accurately.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus of the present invention measures a surface deflection component (shape of surface deflection) from a low-pass component of a compensating filter in a surface deflection measuring part provided in a DSP. Furthermore, the optical disk apparatus calculates timing at which a positional change in a surface deflection component in time required for focus jumping is a predetermined value or less in a timing calculating part, and starts focus jumping at the timing. Because of this, stable focus jumping is made possible.

Abstract: An optical information recording and reproducing apparatus capable of recording and reproducing information data accurately with respect to an optical recording medium. The optical information recording and reproducing apparatus includes an aberration correction part which corrects aberration of the optical system. The apparatus determines whether or not an aberration correction by the aberration correction part is completed based on the signal level read from the optical recording medium, while changing a spherical aberration correction amount of the aberration correction part. The apparatus commences a recording operation or a reproducing operation of the optical information recording and reproducing apparatus if it is determined that the aberration correction was completed.

Abstract: An information storage apparatus records, reproduces and/or erases information with respect to a recording medium. The apparatus includes a servo error generation detector for detecting a generation of a servo error based on at least one of servo signals including a focus error signal and a tracking error signal which are derived from output signals of a light receiving element, and a data recording resuming section for temporarily interrupting a data recording with respect to the recording medium, temporarily turning OFF a servo and then turning ON the servo again, to thereafter synchronize recording data to recorded data already recorded on the recording medium, and resume recording of the recording data continuing without a discontinuity to an end of the recorded data recorded immediately before the interruption of the data recording, when the generation of the servo error is detected while recording data on the recording medium.

Abstract: A tilt detection apparatus capable of detecting the tilt of the optical disk, provided with a laser for outputting a laser beam, a diffraction grating for diffracting the laser beam from said laser to generate a 0th order diffraction beam and +-first order diffraction beams which have the phase distribution equal to the phase distribution due to the wave front aberration generated on an optical disk when the optical disk is tilted, an objective lens for collecting said diffraction beams and exposing the beams to the optical disk, a photodetector for generating signals corresponding to said +-first order diffraction beams reflected at said optical disk, a signal generation circuit for generating the push-pull signals based on the generated signals, and a tilt detection circuit for detecting the tilt of the optical disk based on the push-pull signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a seek direction detecting signal for an optical pickup determining the relative position of the center of an optical spot focused on an optical disk with respect to the center of a disk track, is disclosed. The apparatus focuses a main beam and a sub-beam having a predetermined aberration in the tangential direction on a track of the optical disk by a light dividing unit. The main beam is focused on a first optical detector, and the sub-beam is focused on a second optical detector neighboring the first optical detector. The second optical detector is divided into three or four portions in a direction corresponding to the radial direction of the optical disk, is divided into two portions in a direction corresponding to the tangential direction of the optical disk, and therefore has six or eight separate areas. The portions of the second optical detector receive the portions of the sub-beam and convert the received optical signals into independent electrical signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing a multiple layer disk, which comprising a plurality of layers each having an information record surface on which record information is recorded, is provided with: a read device for reading the record information from each of the layers; a reproduction process device for applying a predetermined reproduction process to the record information read by the read device in accordance with a reproduction process parameter, which is set therein and which comprises at least one of a gain value and an equalizer value, to thereby output a reproduction information signal; a drive device for driving the read device to jump from one reading state for reading one of the layers to another reading state for reading another of the layers; a memory for storing a plurality of reproduction process parameters corresponding to the layers in advance of reproduction; and a set device for reading out one of the stored reproduction process parameters, corresponding to another of the layers as a destination

Abstract: The present invention relates to a layer jump control apparatus of a multilayer disk and a method thereof, when a layer jump request between record layers of the multilayer disk is inputted from outside, a sled, a tracking, and a focusing servo are converted into inactive state, a microcomputer sets an operation voltage of an inner focus lens of an optical pickup to allotted ports in order to transfer the focus lens vertically to the layer jump request direction. The present invention is capable of jumping accurately and rapidly on a request layer of the multilayer disk by jumping on a target layer of the multilayer disk accurately by converting the focusing servo into active state at the jump position of the focus lens on the basis of a FOK signal and a FZC signal detected in accordance with transferring operation, and adjusting vertical transferring speed of an optical pickup by considering minus offset of the optical pickup.

Abstract: A device in accordance with the invention for recording or reproducing information onto/from a rotating information carrier (10) has means (16) for rotating the information carrier. The device further has conversion (16) for converting a write signal (SW) into a detectable pattern on the information carrier, or for generating a read signal (SLS) in response to a detectable pattern on the information carrier. The device also includes control means (25, 26) for supplying at least one control signal (SR, SF) to the conversion means in response to an error signal (RE, FE). The device also includes detection means (25A, 26A) for generating a detection signal (DR, DF) which is a measure of a periodic variation in the error signal (RE, FE). The device in accordance with the invention is characterized by adjustment means (29) for influencing the response of the control means (25, 26) to the error signal (RE, FE) in dependence on the detection signal (DR, DF).

Abstract: An optical information reproduction apparatus is provided that, even when spherical aberration has occurred because of a thickness error in a transmissive substrate of an optical disk, is capable of improving the information reading accuracy by correcting the spherical aberration. The spherical aberration of an optical system is corrected while changing the amount of correction in a state where an objective lens is retained at a position on a focus adjusting orbit where the amplitude level of a reading signal read from an optical recording medium reaches a maximum. The spherical aberration is then corrected by using the amount of correction, which is defined as the final amount of spherical aberration correction, where the amplitude level of a tracking error signal obtained during this time reaches the maximum.

Abstract: The present invention provides a focusing and tracking servo circuit used in an optical disk device that can maintain stability of the focusing and tracking servo at a time of recording or reproduction. This focusing and tracking servo circuit includes: a first storage unit that stores a parameter corresponding to light beam power at a time of recording; a second storage unit that stores a parameter corresponding to light beam power at a time of reproduction; and a selector unit that selects from the parameters stored in the first and second storage units upon switching between recording and reproduction, and sets the selected parameters in a detector unit. With this structure, the parameters can be instantly switched at the same time as the switching between recording and reproduction, and the stability of the focusing and tracking servo can be maintained.

Abstract: A track seeking and track locking method in an optical storage device capable of computing protection intervals such that any state transition of the TEZC signal and the RFZC signal within the computed protection interval is prohibited. The method is also capable of preventing the interference of the TEZC and the RFZC signal due to glitches in the TE signal and the RFRP signal, thus reducing track errors and speed computational errors.

Abstract: A disc player can be used in common for discs having different focus positions of an object lens with respect to a recording surface. The disc player carries out focus servo control with respect to the discs and reads out recorded information. The disc player comprises a judging device, a waveform setting device and a focus searching device. The judging device judges a type of disc set at the disc player. The waveform setting device selectively sets a predetermined waveform information in accordance with results of judgement by the judging device, from a plurality of waveform information which are held in advance for use in focus searching for the types of discs. The focus searching device generates a focus search signal based on the waveform information set by the waveform setting device, and carries out focus searching, at a time of start-up of the disc player, before the focus servo control is carried out.

Abstract: A focus search method and a controller for a digital disk overcomes a shortcoming of a conventional focus search method in which a focus search on a specified layer is always performed from the same direction if a layer jump for changing a layer has been improperly performed during reproduction from a digital disk such as a DVD having a plurality of recording layers, thus taking much time for the focus search when the focus search is begun from a point away from a specified layer. A focus direction used for an immediately preceding focus search performed from an initial focus search position at the outer side of two recording layers is stored in a focus direction memory of a focus direction setter.

Abstract: In advance of the playback of an optical disk 11, the peaks of a focus error signal are detected, and the reference values of the focus error signal are set on the basis of the values of the peaks. In executing a layer jump, a kick signal for an object lens 13a is stopped from being outputted when the focus error signal exceeds the reference value of one polarity. A brake signal is outputted when the focus error signal exceeds the reference value in the opposite polarity. A time period for which the brake signal is outputted, is set on the basis of a time period for which the kick signal has been outputted. After the stop of the output of the brake signal, the peak of the focus error signal is waited for, whereupon a focusing servo 21 is turned ON.

Abstract: There is provided an optical storage device that can position a lens carriage and objective lens even when position sensors for the lens carriage and objective lens are excluded in an effort to make an optical disk unit thinner. When a seek of the carriage relative to an optical disk is started, the carriage is accelerated smoothly, decelerated smoothly, and thus positioned on a target track. The vibration of a lens actuator on the carriage occurring during seek can be minimized, and the lens actuator is locked substantially in the center of the carriage. During a seek operation of the carriage, a false lens signal equivalent to a lens signal used to lock the lens actuator in the center of the carriage is produced using the envelope of a tracking error signal obtained from reflected light of the light beam emanating from the optical disk. With the false lens signal, the lens actuator is locked in the center of the carriage.

Abstract: A phase device for providing a phase difference between an inner radius portion and an outer radius portion of a light beam which is emitted from a light source is provided in an optical path between the light source of an optical pickup apparatus and an objective lens. The light beam to which the phase difference has been provided is converged by the objective lens and irradiated to an optical disc. An interference of an inner radius portion and an outer radius portion of the returning light beam caused when the light beam is diffracted by the optical disc with ±1 primary diffracted light caused by the diffraction is suppressed. Therefore, an intensity fluctuation of the returning light beam caused by the interference is suppressed. A spherical aberration error showing a thickness error of the optical disc and a focusing error having a high linearity can be detected with high precision on the basis of the returning light.

Abstract: A bias voltage controlling apparatus controls a bias voltage for a focus servo control to control a position of a focal point of a light beam, which is irradiated onto an information record surface of an information record medium, in a direction perpendicular to the information record surface. The bias voltage controlling apparatus is provided with: a distinguishing device for distinguishing a type of the information record medium; and a controlling device for optimally controlling the bias voltage on the basis of the type of the information record medium distinguished by the distinguishing device.

Abstract: In a focus control of an optical disk with a fast reproduction velocity and a large face deflection, the present invention can effect a mistakeless and reliable focus pull-in method. The present invention comprises: means for applying a braking signal to a focus actuator before closing a focus control loop; means for detecting a reversal of a relative velocity between an objective lens performing a focus search operation and an optical disk which effects an up-and-down motion due to the face deflection; and means for detecting the relative velocity between the objective lens and the optical disk from a focus error signal which is detected in each layer of a multi-layer disk.

Abstract: A tracking servo control apparatus for muting a tracking error signal when a mirror signal is generated, in an optical disk system, such as a compact disk player or a digital video disk, compensates for tracking gain and phase according to the tracking error signal. The apparatus includes a mirror setting unit for receiving the generated mirror signal and for generating a mirror signal by defining the mirror signal to predetermined minimum and maximum time intervals, a switch for outputting a muted tracking error signal while the defined mirror signal is activated, and otherwise, outputting the tracking error signal, and a tracking gain/phase compensator for receiving the output signal from the switch and compensating for the tracking gain and phase. Thus, the system can be stabilized by muting a tracking servo loop according to a mirror signal whose pulse width is defined to a predetermined window section.

Abstract: A method for detecting a current through a pick-up head in an optical storage device. An output value is first set and a root-mean-square value corresponding to the current is further obtained. Next, compute a new value according to the root-mean-square value and a preset value, wherein the preset value is expressed in exponential form and related to an allowable current and a maximum current of the pick-up head. The output value is set as the new value. The pick-up head is shut down if the output value is greater than a threshold value within a sampling number, else repeating the step of obtaining the root-mean-square value.

Abstract: In an optical unit for scanning an information plane (3) having a track structure (5) by means of a scanning spot (23), which unit is provided with a pivotable mirror (17) for fast movement of the scanning spot perpendicular to the track direction (t), the angular position of the mirror is determined by means of a weakly reflecting element (70), arranged in the path of the scanning beam (15), which reflects part of the scanning beam to a position detector (55) having two detector elements (56,57). By arranging the reflecting surface of the element (70) skew in the scanning beam, the position detector (55) can be arranged in the same plane as the information detector (34) of the optical unit.

Abstract: A device for finding the focus between an optical pickup head and an optical disk by tapping signals from a radio frequency amplifier comprises a high-pass filter for receiving a focus error signal from the radio frequency amplifier and generating a focus error high-pass signal; and a decision circuit that couples to the high-pass filter for receiving the focus error high-pass signal and using a focus zero cross level as a reference for determining a correct focusing point. The focus between the optical pickup head and the optical disk is found when the focus error high-pass signal reaches the positive focus zero cross level or the focus error high-pass signal reaches the negative focus zero cross level.

Abstract: A method and device of determining the slice level of a radio frequency ripple (RFRP) signal for performing a tracking operation in a tracking controller of an optical storage device. The optical storage device receives a tracking error (TE) signal, a radio frequency center (RFCT) signal, and the RFRP signal, and then outputs a TE_input signal related to the slice level. The method includes the following steps: a. obtaining a count value when the absolute value of the TE signal is smaller than a threshold value; otherwise, resetting the count value; b. executing step c when the count value is smaller than a predetermined count value; otherwise, outputting the TE signal as the TE_input signal; and c. outputting the TE signal as the TE_input signal when the RFRP signal is greater than the RFCT signal; otherwise outputting a peak value of the TE signal as the TE_input signal.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus comprising a light source for emitting a light beam, an optical system for focusing the light beam to form a beam spot on the optical disk, a tracking unit for detecting the light reflected from the optical disk to generate a tracking error signal from the light by a differential phase detection method, and move the beam spot in accordance with the tracking error signal, and an information-readout section for reading out information from the optical disk. To achieve readout compatibility between a high-definition DVD and a DVD-ROM, a predetermined delay is given relatively to first and second signals obtained from two pairs of regions arranged in two crossing diagonals of a quadrant photodetector, thereby shifting the beam spot from the centerline of the pit stream in the radial direction of a DVD-ROM, in order to read out information from the DVD-ROM.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing a multiple layer disk, which comprising a plurality of layers each having an information record surface on which record information is recorded, is provided with: a read device for reading the record information from each of the layers; a reproduction process device for applying a predetermined reproduction process to the record information read by the read device in accordance with a reproduction process parameter, which is set therein and which comprises at least one of a gain value and an equalizer value, to thereby output a reproduction information signal; a drive device for driving the read device to jump from one reading state for reading one of the layers to another reading state for reading another of the layers; a memory for storing a plurality of reproduction process parameters corresponding to the layers in advance of reproduction; and a set device for reading out one of the stored reproduction process parameters, corresponding to another of the layers as a destination

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information on and/or from a magneto-optical disk including an optical head for projecting a laser beam onto a magneto-optical disk and receiving the laser beam reflected by the disk, an up-down block arranged movably between a lower position and an upper position, an up-down motor for moving said up-down block up and down, a turntable for supporting the disk and a spindle motor secured to said up-down block and having a driving shaft coupled with said turntable for rotating the turntable, a position detecting device for detecting a position of said up-down block to derive a position signal when the up-down block is driven into the upper position, a rotation detecting device for detecting a rotation of said optical information record disk to derive a rotation signal when the optical information record disk is rotated at a predetermined revolving speed, and a control device for initiating a focus control for moving said objective lens and turntable relative to each

Abstract: A driving method and apparatus for a light source element of an optical pickup for reading and writing data from and to an optical data includes generating an error signal when a tracking error signal is higher than a first level or is lower than a second level and, if the error signal is active, supplying the light source element with a driving signal suitable for data read operations independent of whether the user selects read mode or write mode. As a result, when there is a tracking error the power of the device signal corresponds to that normally presented during a read mode, and this power is insufficient to write data onto the disc. Thus, data is not written over other desired data when an abnormal tracking error occurs.

Abstract: An information recording reproducing apparatus for recording and/or reproducing informations on and/or from an optical recording medium. The apparatus comprises a light source, at least two objective lenses corresponding to at least two kinds of optical recording media having different thicknesses of a protective layer, respectively, a rotatable holder for supporting these objective lenses, magnetically activatable selection elements for these objective lenses in accordance with the optical recording medium, the light of the light source being illuminated on the optical recording medium through the objective lens selected by the magnetically activatable selection elements, thereby performing recording and/or reproducing of the information.