Abstract: An optical recording medium includes a crystallizing layer for enhancing the crystallization of a phase change memory layer, an energy storage layer for aiding the state transformations of a phase change memory layer, and/or a modifying element for increasing absorption and contrast at short wavelengths. An optical data storage and retrieval system containing same. Also a light-plasmon coupling lens including an optically transparent substrate having a light incident surface and a light-plasmon coupling surface opposite the light incident surface. The light-plasmon coupling surface including at least a set of circular concentric peaks/valleys which form a Fourier sinusoidal pattern in the radial direction of the circular concentric peaks/valleys. A conformal layer of metal is deposited on the light-plasmon coupling surface of the substrate and has aperture at the center of thereof through which plasmons are transmitted.

Abstract: The amount of light reflected from a disk is detected, and it is determined according to the amount of reflected light whether the disk is a recordable disk or a rewritable disk. The disk is controlled according to the result of determination such that it is rotated at a constant angular velocity (CAV) or at a constant linear velocity (CLV) and recording is executed. Further, rotation driving control of the disk is selected according to factors other than the type of the disk, such as according to whether random recording is allowed or not, according to a recording state in the disk, according to whether an alternative area is provided or not, according to a recording start position, or according to whether initialization is required or not. CLV control or CAV control is appropriately selected for a disk at recording to suppress a reduction in accessibility and a reduction in data transmission rate.

Abstract: A method and device for determining the presence or absence of a disk and/or a disk size without using FG signals, are provided. The method includes placing a pickup at a first zone on the optical recording medium, the first zone located between an outer radius of a first recording medium type and an outer radius of a second recording medium type, where the outer radius of the second recording medium type is larger than the outer radius of the first recording medium type; detecting a reflected signal based on a returned beam from the first zone of the optical recording medium; and determining at least one of a size and an absence of the optical recording medium based on the detected reflected signal. Therefore, an FG sensor that is provided in a general disk device can be eliminated, thereby reducing the size and cost of a disk device.

Abstract: In a recording material, physical characteristic information of the recording medium, and more specifically, material information representing the material of the disc, is recorded. Accordingly, a recording apparatus and a reading apparatus easily and accurately determine the physical characteristics of the disc, thereby making it possible to provide suitable setting for performing an operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of overwriting data of a rewritable disk quickly, which regards a rewritable disk as empty irrespective of whether or not the disk contains written data, or modifies not-empty-regarded information about a rewritable disk to empty one, based on a user's request; transmits disk information including said regarded or modified empty information to a host connected through an interface; and writes input data received from an external source from start of data recordable zone of the rewritable disk. This data overwriting method enables old data to be overwritten with new data without physical data erasing operation, thereby eliminating relatively long waiting time of a user until an inserted disk becomes empty.

Abstract: The invention provides an information recording medium, a storage medium, an information reproduction apparatus and method, and an information recording and reproduction apparatus and method as well as a providing medium by which information recorded on an information recording medium can be utilized only by a predetermined apparatus which corresponds to the information recording medium. A ROM has data for identification of a DVD player/recorder stored therein. A recording and reproduction section records data stored in the ROM onto a DVD and reproduces data for identification of the DVD player/recorder recorded on the DVD. A CPU controls the recording and reproduction section in accordance with the data stored in the ROM and the data reproduced by the recording and reproduction section.

Abstract: The astigmatic aberration in an optical system is to be adjusted. Specifically, in an optical disc device on which can be selectively loaded a first optical disc having a first index of double refraction or a second optical disc having a second index of double refraction larger than said first index of double refraction, and which includes a liquid crystal device 31 between a light source 11 and an objective lens 15 converging a light beam radiated from said light source on the optical disc 2 loaded on the optical disc device, the voltage applied to the liquid crystal device 31 is adjusted to correct the coma aberration or the astigmatic aberration for the first disc or the second disc, respectively.

Abstract: For an optical recording medium having a phase change type recording layer on it's a substrate and having as read only area and a writable area in a recording area, a data recording method is provided which records data in the writable area. This data recording method comprises a transfer step of transferring program data recorded in the read only area in a practical form to an external computer, and an execution step (step A10) of automatically executing the program data in the external computer to record data in the writable area, which can facilitate manufacturing and reduce the possible of destruction or falsification of ROM data.

Abstract: A method of recording read/write compatibility information on an optical disc. Extended part version information, latest part version having recording capability, and latest part version having reproducing capability are stored in either n.xy or n.x. form on 6 bytes of a reserved zone of a physical format information zone of the optical disc. A recording/reproducing apparatus to record extended part version information on a reserved zone of a physical format information zone of a recording medium. The recording/reproducing apparatus has a base part version and a comparing unit to determine recording/reproducing compatibility with a recording medium having a detailed extended part version stored in a reserved zone of a physical format information zone.

Abstract: A recording medium storing linking type information and a method of processing a defective area in the medium. The recording medium stores information indicating that linking is applied immediately after the defective area, distinguishing a linking type which occurs in a general incremental recording mode from a linking type which occurs after the defective area. Defective areas are detected and registered in a predetermined area (recording management data (RMD) area) before user data is recorded or while user data is being recorded in the recording medium having a plurality of continuous basic recording units, such as a digital versatile disc-rewritable (DVD-RW) in which recording and reproducing can be done repeatedly. Linking is not only applied in an incremental recording mode or in a restricted overwrite recording mode, but linking is also applied to an area immediately after the defective area which is registered in the defect list, increasing reliability of the user data.

Abstract: A method of recording read/write compatibility information on an optical disc. Extended part version information, latest part version having recording capability, and latest part version having reproducing capability are stored in either n.xy or n.x. form on 6 bytes of a reserved zone of a physical format information zone of the optical disc. A recording/reproducing apparatus to record extended part version information on a reserved zone of a physical format information zone of a recording medium. The recording/reproducing apparatus has a base part version and a comparing unit to determine recording/reproducing compatibility with a recording medium having a detailed extended part version stored in a reserved zone of a physical format information zone.

Abstract: A recording medium of writable once type, and a method and apparatus for managing a defective area on the recording medium are provided. The method includes detecting an existence of a defective area within a data area of the recording medium once data are written onto the data area in a data writing operation, writing data written in the defective area onto another area of the data user if the defective area is detected, and writing, onto at least one defect management area on the recording medium, defect management information associated with the defective area.

Abstract: A disk cartridge and a disk drive apparatus. The disk cartridge has a reflector to identify the type of disk, and the disk drive apparatus has an optical emitter/detector to irradiate light on the reflector and detect light reflected from the reflector to identify the type of disk. A large number of identification marks can be provided by changing the angle of reflection and the amount of light reflected from the reflector. Accordingly, disks of various capacities, products and formats can be individually identified.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for discriminating an optical recording medium and a method for discriminating an optical recording medium which can reliably discriminate the kind of an optical recording medium even in the case where the optical recording medium to be discriminated is warped.

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: An optical pickup device includes a light unit for irradiating a light beam having a wavelength longer than 650 nm onto a recording medium and receiving and detecting a light beam reflected by the recording medium, and an objective tens formed of a single lens having an NA of 0.7 or more to form a light spot on the recording medium by condensing an incident light beam emitted from the light unit. A recording medium has a recording density of a DVD family or more and is formed of a material suitable for a long wavelength of 700 nm or more so that a reproduction signal by a reflectance of a recording surface is optimized. Thus, a compact high density optical recording/reproducing apparatus which is inexpensive and has high performance can be realized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and devices for storing and reading data (5, 6) on a storage medium (17). In order to allow compatibility between different file systems (JAFS, UDF) data structures are stored in a first administrative area (10) as belonging to the first file system (JAFS) and a second administrative area (12) belonging to the second file system (UDF). Thus, a so-called bridge disc is achieved that may be read in the different file systems.

Abstract: A method of recording read/write compatibility information on an optical disc. Extended part version information, latest part version having recording capability, and latest part version having reproducing capability are stored in either n.xy or n.x. form on 6 bytes of a reserved zone of a physical format information zone of the optical disc. A recording/reproducing apparatus to record extended part version information on a reserved zone of a physical format information zone of a recording medium. The recording/reproducing apparatus has a base part version and a comparing unit to determine recording/reproducing compatibility with a recording medium having a detailed extended part version stored in a reserved zone of a physical format information zone.

Abstract: A device for reading or writing on optical recording media with disk type recognition capability has an optical scanning device and a focus regulating circuit. The arrangement provides rapid and reliable recognition of the recording medium type inserted into the device. A further inventive aspect provides a corresponding process. These inventive aspects are attained by the disk type recognition capability which includes a mirror signal generator, a threshold value generator, a counter and an evaluation unit. The process is based on the utilization of a mirror-signal value of the device for disk type recognition.

Abstract: An optical disc player discriminates an attribute of tracks recorded onto a disc inserted in the player, and normally reproduces MP3 tracks recorded onto discs inserted into a plurality of disc drivers using an MP3 decoder. Also, according to a method of reproducing an optical disc, the optical disc player discriminates a kind of an inserted disc as an audio file disc, an MP3 file disc, or a general data file disc and normally performs a reproducing operation for the files or music recorded onto the inserted disc.

Abstract: On an information recording medium, a recording area is divided in a plurality of data areas, and data is recorded on each of the data areas. In response to a request for obtaining data management information concerning a recording of the data recorded on each of the data areas, a plurality of predetermined data areas among the foregoing data areas are regarded as a predetermined pseudo area, and the data management information including information concerning the predetermined pseudo area is obtained.

Abstract: A method of recording read/write compatibility information on an optical disc. Extended part version information, latest part version having recording capability, and latest part version having reproducing capability are stored in n.xy form on 6 bytes of a reserved zone of a physical format information zone of the optical disc. A recording/reproducing apparatus to record extended part version information on a reserved zone of a physical format information zone of a recording medium. The recording/reproducing apparatus has a base part version and a comparing unit to determine recording/reproducing compatibility with a recording medium having a detailed extended part version stored in a reserved zone of a physical format information zone.

Abstract: An optical disc drive according to the present invention may be loaded with an arbitrarily selected one of optical discs of multiple types including a first optical disc with grooves and a second optical disc with no grooves.

Abstract: A disc drive apparatus using a disc-like recording medium includes a casing, a substrate, two LEDs, a light guiding member, a white print portion, and a motor. The light guiding member is arranged adjacent to the two LEDs on the substrate for guiding light emitted from the LEDs. The white print portion is positioned in a light emitting direction of the LEDs, and is formed on a surface of the substrate positioned below the light guiding member. The motor is arranged adjacent to the light guiding member and the white print portion on the substrate. The light guiding member is provided with a satin finish at a surface of a portion facing the LEDs. The front panel includes a protrusion protruding below a portion that is farthest from the LEDs in a portion adjacent to a light emitting indication portion of the light guiding member.

Abstract: An information recording medium of this invention has a plurality of sector fields that record data, and each sector field has an identification information area (recording type area). The identification information area records one of first identification information indicating that data recorded in the sector field has high integrity, and second identification information indicating that data has low integrity.

Abstract: A disc discrimination method and apparatus include calculating a first time difference between a time when a first focusing signal is detected from a first recording area of a first disc and a time when a first reflection signal is detected from a first surface area of the first disc, and calculating a second time difference between a time when a second focusing signal is detected from a second recording area of a second disc and a time when a second reflection signal is detected from a second surface area of the second disc. An average value of the first and the second time differences is calculated and the average value obtained as a reference time is determined and a disc type of the first disc or the second disc loaded into the optical disc system is identified using the average value.

Abstract: A plurality type of adjustment data groups are stored in a memory for each of a plurality of adjustment items for adjusting a record signal waveform. The adjustment data group for each adjustment item is selected in accordance with identification information preset in accordance with a disk type and a record velocity magnification factor. The selected adjustment data groups are combined to form a record strategy. The record signal waveform is adjusted in accordance with the formed record strategy to record the record signal in an optical disk. It is possible to reduce the amount of adjustment data for the record signal waveform to be stored in the memory.

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

Abstract: High efficiency recording is carried for recording recording data generated by a second recording system signal processing circuit 11 to a recording disc corresponding to an existing first standard, and in this case the recording data generated by the second recording system signal processing circuit 11 is selectively recorded to the first recording disc based on one of a first or a second standard. In this way, high efficiency recording is possible regardless of whether data has a recording format corresponding to the first standard or the second standard.

Abstract: An optical disc includes a processed area that has been processed by the irradiation of a YAG laser. Concave pits and convex pits having a length 3T–14T (T=0.133 ?m) are formed in an area of the optical disc other than the processed area. The processed area includes (1) a concave pit having a length X or (2) a pit string that has a length X and includes a convex pit from which a reflection layer has been removed. A specific area of the optical disc records physical character information that shows the location and length of the concave pit or the pit string in the processed area.

Abstract: In a recording material, physical characteristic information of the recording medium, and more specifically, material information representing the material of the disc, is recorded. Accordingly, a recording apparatus and a reading apparatus easily and accurately determine the physical characteristics of the disc, thereby making it possible to provide suitable setting for performing an operation.

Abstract: A record medium preventing a first drive device from reading data therefrom while allowing a second drive device to read the data therefrom wherein data-read operation is performed according to volume management information stored in the record medium, including a predetermined area which stores record-medium-identification information therein, and a volume management information area which is different from the first predetermined area, and stores the volume management information therein.

Abstract: With a CD laser, a focusing search is carried out to detect a value CD-FE(pp) which is a difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of a focusing error signal, and to detect a value CD-AS which is a maximum value of a full-added signal. With a DVD laser, the focusing search is carried out to detect a value DVD-FE(pp) which is a difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of the focusing error signal, and to detect a value DVD-AS which is the maximum value of a full-added signal. The value that DVD-FE(pp) is divided by DVD-AS(max), is divided by the value that CD-FE(pp) is divided by CD-AS(max). According to whether the computed result by division is larger or not than a threshold value, it is determined whether the disk 100 is of a CD standard or of a DVD standard.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus includes a demodulator which demodulates data modulated in accordance with a modulation rule, a temporal store which stores the data demodulated by the demodulator, an error-corrector which error-corrects the demodulated data stored in the temporal store based on an error correction code, the error-corrected data being stored in the temporal store, a reproducer which reproduces superimposed information concerning copying consent from the error-corrected data processed by the error-corrector and stored in the temporal store, and an output controller which performs output control of the error-corrected data based on the reproduced information concerning copying consent stored in the temporal store. The output controller stops outputting the error-corrected data if both (1) the error-corrected data was reproduced from a medium dedicated to reproduction and (2) the reproduced information concerning copying consent stored in the temporal store indicates that copying once was permitted.

Abstract: In PLL circuits for reproducing a channel clock in synchronism with data read from a disk-shaped recording medium driven for rotation, the frequency dividing ratio of frequency dividers provided in desired signal paths is made changeable according to the reproduced signal format of a CD reproduced signal or a DVD reproduced signal, for example. Although the frequency of the channel clock in synchronism with the reproduced signal differs in different signal formats, the above configuration makes it possible to reproduce the channel clock properly in accordance with a plurality of signal formats only by the operation of changing the frequency dividing ratio in a PLL circuit.

Abstract: The amount of light reflected from a disk is detected, and it is determined according to the amount of reflected light whether the disk is a recordable disk or a rewritable disk. The disk is controlled according to the result of determination such that it is rotated at a constant angular velocity (CAV) or at a constant linear velocity (CLV) and recording is executed. Further, rotation driving control of the disk is selected according to factors other than the type of the disk, such as according to whether random recording is allowed or not, according to a recording state in the disk, according to whether an alternative area is provided or not, according to a recording start position, or according to whether initialization is required or not. CLV control or CAV control is appropriately selected for a disk at recording to suppress a reduction in accessibility and a reduction in data transmission rate.

Abstract: The amount of light reflected from a disk is detected, and it is determined according to the amount of reflected light whether the disk is a recordable disk or a rewritable disk. The disk is controlled according to the result of determination such that it is rotated at a constant angular velocity (CAV) or at a constant linear velocity (CLV) and recording is executed. Further, rotation driving control of the disk is selected according to factors other than the type of the disk, such as according to whether random recording is allowed or not, according to a recording state in the disk, according to whether an alternative area is provided or not, according to a recording start position, or according to whether initialization is required or not. CLV control or CAV control is appropriately selected for a disk at recording to suppress a reduction in accessibility and a reduction in data transmission rate.

Abstract: In a recording material, physical characteristic information of the recording medium, and more specifically, material information representing the material of the disc, is recorded. Accordingly, a recording apparatus and a reading apparatus easily and accurately determine the physical characteristics of the disc, thereby making it possible to provide suitable setting for performing an operation.

Abstract: A disk drive includes an information processor 15 for reading out or writing information from or to the disk drive, a disk drive unit 11 for driving a disk 10, an access unit 12 for reading out or writing information from or to the disk 10, and a controller 13 for controlling the disk drive unit 11, and a disk controller 14. The disk drive is driven at a set drive speed. Format identification information is acquired from information recorded on the disk 10, and drive-speed information for the disk drive, determined from the acquired format identification information, is transmitted to control the speed of the disk.

Abstract: Software is securely distributed with limited usage rights. The software may be an executable program and/or one or more data files such as image or multimedia data files. The software includes an access control object which prevents at least some usage of the software without use of a first access control code. The first access control code is produced based on selected information characteristic of the user's computer system. The access control code is produced in a server computer to which the user directs a request for the access control code. The user makes a payment to receive the access control code, which is then downloaded to the user's computer system.

Abstract: A recording-medium management apparatus includes a playback unit and a recording-medium management unit. The playback unit includes a reading unit for automatically reading an identifier from a recording medium when data is played back and a transmission unit for transmitting the read identifier to the recording-medium management unit. The recording-medium management unit includes a setting information management unit for managing setting information corresponding to the identifier, a check unit for checking whether or not the setting information corresponding to the identifier received from the playback unit is managed by the setting information management unit, and an obtaining-and-transmitting unit for obtaining the setting information corresponding to the identifier from the setting information management unit and transmitting the setting information to the playback unit.

Abstract: An information recording medium conveyer is provided, which provides countermeasures against power interruptions with high reliability. When a power interruption occurs during a loading operation with a conveying roller, the first unloading operation is initiated. When the outputs from detection sensors satisfy a predetermined condition during the first unloading operation, the process is initialized to cause the conveying roller to initiate a re-loading operation, thereby loading an information recording medium into a tray. On the other hand, when the outputs from the detection sensors do not change in accordance with a predetermined sequence during the re-loading operation, the process initiates the second unloading operation.

Abstract: In a recording medium reproducing apparatus that can reproduce a recording medium such as a CD-R or CD-RW recording therein compressed audio data, a track number of three or more digits can be indicated using an existing display portion that is designed to indicate a track number in two digits. For this, the apparatus determines whether digital audio data to be reproduced is compressed audio data, and when it is determined to be the compressed audio data, the apparatus indicates a track number of the reproducing compressed audio data in a track number display area and a minute display area, a value of minute of a reproduction time of the compressed audio data in a second display area, and a value of second of the reproduction time of the compressed audio data in a frame display area.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus which is compatible with a compact disc (CD) and a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) has a configuration of an optical pickup which performs a scanning operation in a focus-on and track-off state to read signals from an optical disc; an RF amplifier which, on the basis of the read signals, produces binary track-cross signals and binary mirror signals; a first edge counter which counts the number of the binary track-cross signals; a second edge counter which counts the number of the binary mirror signals; and a central processing unit (CPU) which discriminates between a CD or a DVD on the basis of a ratio between the number of the binary track-cross signals and the number of the binary mirror signals.

Abstract: An optical disk recording method comprising steps of a) performing recording onto the optical disk with a ZCLV method by using zone parameter storage means for storing at least one zone division time and CLV of each zone in a track formed on the optical disk, as zone parameters, for each of a plurality of recording modes and optical disk type determination means for determining the type of the optical disk before recording; b) performing optimization of the recording velocity by detecting, before recording, servo signal fluctuation by accessing the optical disk, by determining maximum recording velocity defined by the speed of a rotational motor rotating the optical disk, and by calculating a changing point of the recording velocity; and c) limiting the speed of the rotational motor, when the servo signal fluctuation at the surface of the optical disk exceeds a reference level and determining the relation between the zone division time and the CLV of each zone.

Abstract: When data in a volume in the excess of a specification of a disc is recorded on an optical disc (D) (overburn recording), overburn area information indicating a position to terminate data recording is set in a volatile memory (333) of an optical disc recording apparatus (300). The optical disc recording apparatus records the data in an overburn area of the optical disc by referring to the overburn area information set in the volatile memory and terminate the recording of the data when the recording position in the current point in time agrees with the position to terminate recording indicated by the overburn area information that is set in a second storage area (333b).

Abstract: An operation of a recording/reproducing portion is controlled by a control portion so as to record data in a predetermined recording region on a recording medium, and perform update recording in the predetermined recording region in accordance with occurrence of update information of the data. The control portion further has a function of controlling the recording/reproducing portion so as to record an update portion of data in a temporary storage region in a part of the recording medium and record an update flag showing whether the predetermined recording region has been updated with the update portion or has not been updated with the update portion in an update flag region, and in update recording with respect to the predetermined recording medium, successively performs operations of recording the update portion in the temporary storage region, setting the update flag in a non-updated state, recording the update portion in the predetermined recording region, and setting the update flag in an updated state.

Abstract: An information recording medium includes: record information pieces logically independent of each other and constituting a hierarchical structure of hierarchical layers; layer information pieces for specifying one of the hierarchical layer; kind information pieces for indicating kinds of information relating to the record information pieces; a text group including layer related texts and record information related texts successively arranged in a mixed manner; text arrangement information pieces corresponding to the text group and arranged in pair with one of the layer information piece and the kind information piece corresponding to the text, the text arrangement information piece indicating a position of the text within the text group.

Abstract: In a recording and reproducing apparatus for a disc-shaped recording medium, and a defect substitution method for a disc-shaped recording medium (8), whether reproduction of recorded data is good is determined by sector unit and not by product code unit, defective sector discrimination is performed by sector unit, and only sectors determined defective are alternately recorded, when using a recording format in which data that is error detection and correction coded with a product code is segmented and recorded to a plurality of sectors.