Abstract: A recording apparatus records music on a recording medium. The recording apparatus may access a music piece purchasing data base and select music to be recorded on the recording medium from the music piece purchasing data base. A total playing time of the selected music is calculated. Further, a remaining recording time of the recording medium is calculated, the remaining recording time being the recording capacity of the recording media before the selected music is recorded on the recording medium. Then, it is judged whether or not the total playing time of the selected music is greater than the remaining recording time. A warning is issued when it is judged that the total playing time is greater than the remaining recording time.

Abstract: An optical recording/reproducing apparatus and a data recording method thereof. The optical recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes: an encoder which encodes a data for recording in a specified format; an optical pickup which records the encoded data onto a data record area of an optical recording medium which is loaded in the optical recording/reproducing apparatus; and a controller which allocates a specified area of the optical recording medium as a management information record area, controls the optical pickup to record the management information regarding the data being recorded in the data record area to be recorded in the management information record area, and controls the optical pickup to periodically record the management information of the management information record area onto a file information record area of the optical recording medium.

Abstract: In a recording/reproducing apparatus and a recording method, for enabling a high reliability on reproduction data are conducted the followings: recording a test mark within the test aria with a predetermined write strategy; obtaining signal amplitudes corresponding to a front portion, a middle portion, and a rear portion of the test mark, by reproducing the test mark; determining on whether the test mark has a desirable configuration or not, upon basis of at least one of ratios, defined between the amplitude of the front portion and the amplitude of the rear portion, and between the amplitude of the middle portion and the amplitude of the rear portion; correcting the write strategy if it is determined that the test mark has not the desirable configuration; and recording the information within the data area with the write strategy after the correction thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides an information recording configuration that achieves both difficulty in reading and highly accurate reading. Highly confidential additional information such as encryption key is recorded in a groove signal. During recording of the additional information, a groove signal is recorded that has an amplitude offset setting commensurate with the bit value. During reading of the additional information, a signal R0 with no offset is estimated from a signal R1 read from the groove signal for a predetermined period, after which a difference signal C=R1?R0 is calculated and integrated for each of the predetermined periods so as to determine the direction of the amplitude offset for each period. This process achieves recording and reproduction of additional information that offers enhanced difficulty in reading and highly accurate reading at the same time.

Abstract: A reproduction signal evaluation method according to the present invention relates to adjustment of an edge portion between a shortest mark and a shortest space in a data sequence including marks and spaces in combination that is recordable on an information recording medium. In a pattern including a shortest mark and a shortest space adjacent before or after the shortest mark, a shift amount of an edge of the shortest mark is obtained from a differential metric calculated regarding one of a first pattern in which a space adjacent to the shortest mark and not adjacent to the shortest space is longer than the shortest space; and a second pattern in which a mark adjacent to the shortest space and not adjacent to the shortest mark is longer than the shortest mark.

Abstract: A signal quality evaluating method necessary for a signal quality evaluation index and a margin design is provided for an apparatus utilizing hologram recording techniques. An evaluation index is used being obtained by dividing root sum square of standard deviations of luminance value distribution of on- and off-pixels obtained from reproduced signals, by a difference between average values.

Abstract: A reproduction signal evaluation method according to the present invention relates to adjustment of an edge portion between a shortest mark and a shortest space in a data sequence including marks and spaces in combination that is recordable on an information recording medium. In a pattern including a shortest mark and a shortest space adjacent before or after the shortest mark, a shift amount of an edge of the shortest mark is obtained from a differential metric calculated regarding one of a first pattern in which a space adjacent to the shortest mark and not adjacent to the shortest space is longer than the shortest space; and a second pattern in which a mark adjacent to the shortest space and not adjacent to the shortest mark is longer than the shortest mark.

Abstract: An evaluation apparatus includes: a signal reading block; a first waveform equalization block; a boundary detection block; a selective output block; and an evaluation value generation block.

Abstract: A reproduction signal evaluation method evaluates the quality of a reproduction signal reproduced from an information recording medium based on a binary signal generated from the reproduction signal using a PRML signal processing system. The method includes a pattern extraction step of extracting, from the binary signal, a specific state transition pattern which has the possibility of causing a bit error; a step of computing a differential metric based on the binary signal; an extraction step of extracting the differential metric which is not greater than a predetermined signal processing threshold; a step of determining a mean value of the differential metrics which are not greater than the signal processing threshold and extracted in the extraction step; a standard deviation computing step of determining a standard deviation which corresponds to an error rate predicted from the mean value; and an evaluation step of evaluating a quality of the reproduction signal using the standard deviation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of writing data to a disc (OD). The method comprised: a) performing a plurality of writing actions in which a plurality of data portions are written to the disc, b) performing a plurality of verification actions in which written data portions are at least partly verified and at least part of the data portions are replaced if needed. The method further comprises a2) performing a decision action for each writing action in which a decision whether or not to perform the verification action for a specific written data portion is taken.

Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus (1) is provided with: an offset adding device (19-1, 19-2) for adding an offset value (OFS) which can be set to be variable, to a read signal (RRF) read from a recording medium (100); a correcting device (18) for correcting waveform distortion occurring in a read signal corresponding to a long mark, of the read signal to which the offset value is added; and a waveform equalizing device (18) for performing a waveform equalization process on the read signal in which the waveform distortion is corrected.

Abstract: Playback durability of a writable optical disk is ensured. A method of controlling a playback condition includes continuously irradiating an optical disk with a laser beam having a power level lower than a mark formation level and detecting a change of a state of a signal caused by a return light from the optical disk, and setting a playback condition for the optical disk according to the change of the state of the signal. The playback durability of the optical disk can be ensured by adaptively controlling the playback condition as stated above.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a signal reproduction section configured to obtain a reproduced signal from a recording medium by radiating a laser beam emitted by a laser-beam source to the recording medium; and a high-frequency signal superposition section configured to superpose either a first high-frequency signal or a second high-frequency signal having a frequency higher than the frequency of the first high-frequency signal on a driving signal used for driving the laser-beam source, wherein, in a first signal reproduction operation, the high-frequency signal superposition section superposes the first high-frequency signal on the driving signal whereas, in a second signal reproduction operation to measure information on the amplitude of the reproduced signal, the high-frequency signal superposition section superposes the second high-frequency signal on the driving signal.

Abstract: A digital logger system includes a multichannel interface circuit that: 1. concurrently and continuously-receives audio telecommunication signals for at least two telephone calls from a digital hybrid telephone line; and 2. continuously transmits linearly encoded digital audio data representing the received audio signals. A Universal Serial Bus (“USB”) hub of the system receives the transmitted digital data for retransmission to a USB root hub. A USB root hub of personal computer (“PC”) receives transmitted digital data, and executes PC software which continuously monitors the digital data for embedded line status and signaling information including a telephone line “going off hook.” When a telephone line goes “off hook,” the software records both: 1. an audio header that stores information about a telephone call; and 2. an audio file that stores compressed digital data for the telephone call. Jul. 2, 2009.

Abstract: An optical disc recording and playback apparatus includes an optical pickup performing an operation for recording and playing back signal information into and from an optical disc; an optical element allowing a light beam irradiated onto an optical disc by the optical pickup to be split into a main beam and sub-beams on both sides of the main beam and supplying the beams to the optical disc; an optical detector detecting return light from the optical disc; and a computation circuit detecting a track control error signal by a phase difference method and a differential push-pull method by using the detection signal from the optical detector and also detecting a wobble signal.

Abstract: A highly efficient and reliable reproduced signal evaluation method and an optical disc drive using that method in which assuming that the number of 2T's appearing successively in a predetermined evaluation bitstream is i, the evaluation bitstream is divided into a main bitstream (5+2i) long and sub bitstreams at the ends of the main bitstream. The check process to determine whether a predetermined evaluation bitstream is included in the binarized bitstreams is replaced with a main bitstream agreement check. This can prevent an increase in the circuit size. At the same time, by separately summing up for each main bitstream the calculated results of Euclidean distance between the reproduced signal and the target signal corresponding to the evaluation bitstream, the size of an evaluation summing circuit can be reduced.

Abstract: A highly efficient and reliable reproduced signal evaluation method and an optical disc drive using that method in which assuming that the number of 2T's appearing successively in a predetermined evaluation bitstream is i, the evaluation bitstream is divided into a main bitstream (5+2i) long and sub bitstreams at the ends of the main bitstream. The check process to determine whether a predetermined evaluation bitstream is included in the binarized bitstreams is replaced with a main bitstream agreement check. This can prevent an increase in the circuit size. At the same time, by separately summing up for each main bitstream the calculated results of Euclidean distance between the reproduced signal and the target signal corresponding to the evaluation bitstream, the size of an evaluation summing circuit can be reduced.

Abstract: An optical information reproducing device is provided with a light focusing unit (8) for generating near-field light, a signal quality measuring circuit (22) for measuring reproduction signal quality of the optical information recording medium using the near-field light generated by the light focusing unit, a gap length determining circuit (17a) for determining a gap length between the light focusing unit and a surface of the optical information recording medium as a set value based on a measurement result on the reproduction signal quality in the signal quality measuring circuit, and a gap control circuit (24) for controlling a gap between the light focusing unit and the surface of the optical information recording medium based on the set value determined in the gap length determining circuit. Information is reproduced from the optical information recording medium using the near-field light generated by the light focusing unit.

Abstract: A recording device includes: a recording and reproducing unit that records or reproduces data stored on a recording medium; and a control unit that interrupts recording during recording performed by the recording and reproducing unit, acquires an evaluation value of a recording quality of a recorded portion, changes recording speed based on the evaluation value, and resuming the recording.

Abstract: Problems In a recording medium such as DVD, for example, when groups having the same title or the same song and different numbers of channels are recorded, all the groups are reproduced, further, when a DVD author mistakes, contents which are not needed to be reproduced are reproduced. Means for Solving Problems In a case of DVD-Audio, a condition for reproducing a group having at least one track (a group having the longest reproducing time, a group having the largest number of tracks, a group having the largest data capacity) is set, and only the group which matches the condition is reproduced. In a case of DVD-Video, a title can be used instead of the group. In a case of CD, a folder is used instead of the group.

Abstract: A data writing control device enables quickly writing data to optical discs. A reading process unit 62a, 62b reads data in predetermined read units from a storage device (hard disk drive 14) that has a head and stores the data. A storage unit (buffers 63a and 63b) has a storage area for storing the read units of data read by the reading process unit 62a, 62b. A writing process unit 64a, 64b acquires data stored in the storage area of the storage unit in write units, which are smaller than the read units, and supplies the acquired write units of data to an optical disc drive which is connected as a peripheral device.

Abstract: A write-once optical recording medium and a method and apparatus for recording management information on the recording medium, are provided. The recording medium includes at least one recording layer and SRR information on the recording layer. The SRR information pertains to at least one SRR and includes a header, an SRR entry list, and a terminator. The SRR entry list includes a plurality of SRR entries, each of the SRR entries pertaining to an SRR and including at least one status area for storing therein session start information.

Abstract: A pick-up of a format determining apparatus irradiates light to an optical disk to generate a reproduction signal. A signal processing unit decodes the reproduction signal to generate main data. A CD-ROM decoder decodes the main data. A CD-ROM determining unit determines whether or not the main data is in a CD-ROM format, based on the decoded main data. A reproduction signal determining unit determines whether or not the reproduction signal is normal when the main data is not in the CD-ROM format. A system control unit determines that the main data is in a CD-DA format, when the main data is not in the CD-ROM format, and when the reproduction signal is normal.

Abstract: An LPP detection unit detects an LPP from a wobble signal. A correction unit obtains a difference set by performing processing of calculating a difference in signal level between an LPP-present sync pattern portion and a non-LPP sync pattern portion having the same polarity, and executes correction on an RF signal at a timing when the LPP is detected, by using the difference set. The LPP-present sync pattern portion is a sync pattern portion obtained when the LPP is detected at the timing of the sync pattern portion positioned at the head of a sync frame of the RF signal. The non-LPP sync pattern portion is a sync pattern portion obtained when no LPP is detected at the timing of the sync pattern portion of the sync frame. In the case of reproducing information recorded on a DVD-R/RW optical disk, the occurrence of errors due to the effect of the LPP can be reduced.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing device includes an optical head unit which performs writing and reading of information expressed by marks and spaces on an optical recording medium by irradiating laser light onto the optical recording medium, a laser driving pulse generating unit that generates a laser driving pulse according to the recorded information to supply a laser driving signal to the optical head unit, and executes the irradiation of the laser light onto the optical head unit for recording, an evaluation value calculating unit that calculates a quality evaluation value, which is an index of recording signal quality based on a signal read from the optical recording medium by the optical head unit, and an adjustment controlling unit that performs an adjustment setting of the laser driving pulse generated in the laser driving pulse generating unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure improves tracking characteristics of an envelope detected from an input signal to the input signal. A detector, which obtains an output signal from an input signal containing a target signal, and outputs the output signal, includes: a comparator configured to compare the input signal to the output signal, and output an obtained comparison result; and an envelope generator configured to weight a first value and a second value having a sign opposite to that of the first value in accordance with the comparison result, integrate the weighted first value and the weighted second value, and output an integral value as the output signal. The envelope generator includes a first gain generator configured to output the first value in accordance with an amplitude of the input signal.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a method to efficiently calibrate parameters of a memory reading device. The method can include defining two or more value sets for the parameters of the memory reading device to read a memory medium, reading the memory medium with the parameters set respectively at the value sets, receiving performance signals corresponding to operation of the memory reading device having the parameters set at the value sets, respectively, and setting the parameters of the memory reading device for reading the memory medium based on the performance signals.

Abstract: An optical disc drive and tracking method thereof are disclosed. The optical disc drive includes an optical pickup head, a slip compensation module, a tracking control module and a tracking drive. The optical pickup head generates a detected signal according to an optical signal from an optical disc. The slip compensation module generates a slip compensation signal according to the detected signal. The tracking control module generates a tracking out signal according to the detected signal and the slip compensation signal and, according to the tracking out signal, the tracking drive drives the optical pickup head.

Abstract: Optical disc recording processing of recording data to be recorded on an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers at a recording velocity depending on the radial position includes use pattern selection processing of selecting a use pattern in which given recordable regions included in a data zone of the optical disc are used for recording of the data to be recorded in given use order, among a plurality of use patterns different in the number of recording layers used, so that the total recording time is shortened, based on given conditions including at least the capacity of the data to be recorded, the recording velocities of use regions in the use pattern, and the number of interlayer shifts in the use pattern. The data to be recorded is recorded according to the use pattern selected in the use pattern selection processing.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus is provided with a recording controller for recording data on an information recording medium, a verification controller for verifying whether or not the recorded data can be correctly reproduced, a continuous recording controller for providing a gap region of a specified interval between a verification region and a recording region and successively performing a verify processing and a record processing with rotation waiting in between, an error region discriminator for discriminating an error region in the event of an error in the process of performing the verify processing and the record processing, and an error processor for performing an error processing according to the error region. The error processor performs an error processing different from the one performed when an error occurred in either one of the verification region and the recording region if an error is discriminated to have occurred in the gap region.

Abstract: According to the present invention, whether recoding pits are larger or smaller than diffraction limit is determined. Then, a signal process suitable for processing of the recording pits larger than the diffraction limit and a signal process suitable for processing of the recording pits smaller than diffraction limit are divided to divisionally perform equalizer processing. The respective signals subjected to the divisional processing are synthesized to obtain a processed output signal. A reproduction signal with reduced impact of intersymbol interference is thus obtained.

Abstract: A model is derived for write parameters of a laser in an optical drive. A parameter range for the write parameters is set based on a recordable medium. A number of test runs are recorded on the recordable medium while varying the write parameters. Write performance characteristics are measured over the test runs, and a model of write performance as a function of the write parameters is derived. Values for write parameters are selected for use in writing actual data based on the derived model. A first section of user data is written to the data-carrying region of the recordable medium using the selected values. The write performance characteristics of the first section of user data are measured, and the model is updated by including the measurements from the data-carrying region. New values for the write parameters of the laser are selected based on the updated model.

Abstract: A reproducing device includes a detection circuit and an integration circuit. The detection circuit detects a push-pull signal PP. The integration circuit carries out integration processing with respect to one or greater frames of the push-pull signal, and carries out binarization processing with respect to integration results thus obtained, thereby detecting sub data. In the integration circuit, the more the frames to be used for detecting sub data is, the higher the accuracy of the detected sub data is. The reproducing device further includes a control circuit for controlling the total number of the frames to be used for generating valid sub data in the integration circuit. The control circuit controls the total number of the frames in accordance with a result of an error correction made by an error correction circuit.

Abstract: An optical disc recording method of suppressing variations in the record quality due to variations in an initial strategy of a write strategy using many parameters corresponding to a next-generation large-capacity optical disc. Modulation conditions for recorded data on the optical disc are determined based on a real measurement thereof; an initial strategy that meets the modulation conditions is determined; an optical strategy is determined in which the record quality is best in the vicinity of the initial strategy; and data is recorded on the optical disc, using the optimal strategy.

Abstract: A recording and reproduction system includes a recording system and a reproduction system. The reproduction system reproduces (simultaneous reproduction) data of content while the data is being recorded by the recording system. The recording system records information on recording process to a management area as management data. The reproduction system reads the management data to control reproduction.

Abstract: Novel evaluation indexes are introduced to allow both a total evaluation of data recording and an evaluation of individual detection patterns. A data recording evaluation method includes a step of reproducing a result of data recording performed on an optical disk and identifying a predetermined detection pattern in a reproduction signal, a step of detecting a signal state of the reproduction signal associated with the predetermined detection pattern, and a first calculation step for calculating a first evaluation index value based on the detected signal state and a reference state identified from the predetermined detection pattern. When there is a plurality of predetermined detection patterns as described above, a second calculation step is further provided for calculating a second recording state evaluation index value using the first evaluation index value calculated from each of the predetermined detection patterns.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a disk drive configured to write data to a disk being rotated by a spindle motor has a synchronous clock generator that generates a synchronous clock to use during the write operation. The synchronous clock generator inputs the rotational acceleration of the spindle motor, as feed-forward control value, to the feedback control system provided in the drive disk, thereby generating a clock that is synchronous with the rotational speed of the disk.

Abstract: A reproduction data recording method for an optical storage medium. The method comprises storing additional data to a first temporary region of a memory device; reading the first recorded data from the optical storage medium and storing the first recorded data to the first temporary region; reading a data segment of the second recorded data from the optical storage medium and storing the data segment to a second temporary region of the memory device; reading the first recorded data from the first temporary region and the data segment from the second temporary region, and decoding the first recorded data and the data segment to confirm accuracy of the first recorded data; reading the first recorded data and the additional data from the first temporary region, and encoding the first recorded data and the additional data to generate encoded data; and writing the encoded data to the optical storage medium.

Abstract: For achieving an improvement on recording/reproducing quality of information, with enabling more adequate tilt adjustment, even for an optical disc to be used under a circumstance having a large temperature change, an optical disc apparatus for conducting recording or reproducing of video information onto/from the optical disc 2, through buffers 17 and 18, while conducting a tilt adjustment through a learning of a tilt amount, comprises a temperature sensor 4 for detecting temperature within an optical pickup 1, wherein a control unit determines whether a relearning of the tilt amount of the optical pickup, upon basis of a change of temperature detected, a movement amount of the optical pickup between the time when a previous learning is done and the time when a present learning is done, and a remaining memory capacity of the buffers.

Abstract: An evaluation apparatus includes: a signal reading block; a first waveform equalization block; a boundary detection block; a selective output block; and an evaluation value generation block.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical information recording apparatus and method capable of effectively determining appropriate recording parameters in a short time with favorable efficiency, when recording information onto an optical disk having different information recording conditions and information recording characteristics. An information recording condition or an information recording characteristic of an optical disk 1 is identified, and a recording pulse position is corrected at a correction accuracy according to the identifies information recording condition or information recording characteristic, such that a recording mark is formed in a predetermined position.

Abstract: An optical disc drive having an optical pickup head emitting a light beam to an optical storage medium, detecting the light beam reflected from the optical storage medium, and outputting a signal based on the received reflected light, having a jitter measuring unit measuring jitter in signals output from the optical pickup head and having an evaluation unit determining from the measured jitter if the optical storage medium is good or defective. The jitter measuring unit measures jitter in a train of 3T or longer marks or spaces from an optical storage medium to which digital information is recorded as a train of marks or spaces of length kT based on a period T and an integer k of two or more.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording medium reproducing method comprising the steps of: irradiating light onto a recording medium, the recording medium including a data image and a reference pattern, the reference pattern being divided by a plurality of fractional regions, the fractional regions being in invert, rotational and symmetrical relationship; determining information associated to data-image distortion based on the reference pattern; and correcting position of the data image based on the information relating to data-image distortion.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus provided with identifying information acquisition means to read recording medium identify information recorded on a recording medium and a storage unit to store the recording medium identify information acquired by the identifying information acquisition means so that the recording media which have been played are registered as library information. When a recording medium is to be played, this library information is used to determine whether to allow bonus images to be reproduced.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus utilized for reproducing data from an optical storage medium has individual checking modules for separately controlling a data outputting operation of a data buffering unit according to the data buffered in the data buffering unit and a primary defect list, and for controlling a decoding operation of a decoding unit according to the data stored in a memory unit and a secondary defect list. The flow path of the related data processing method is therefore simplified because all the checking operations of the defective status of the data read from the optical storage medium are accomplished by the checking modules.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for testing an optical disk drive. The method comprises: resetting a successful number of a test and setting an upper limit for the successful number of the test; proceeding with a virtual writing by a laser beam with predetermined power; checking whether the output power is different from the predetermined power; if the output power is different from the predetermined power, determine the test fails, and if the output power is not different from the predetermined power, plus one to the successful number, wherein the optical disk drive passes the test when the number of successful test reaches the upper limit. The invention can reduce the time of testing the optical disk drive.

Abstract: A method for rating an information recording medium according to the present invention includes the steps of: receiving a digital read signal, which has been generated based on an analog read signal representing information that has been read from the information recording medium, and shaping the waveform of the digital read signal; subjecting the shaped digital read signal to maximum likelihood decoding, thereby generating a binarized signal showing a result of the maximum likelihood decoding; and calculating the quality of the digital read signal based on the shaped digital read signal and the binarized signal. If the quality of the read signal is calculated by a PRML method in which a number of zero-cross portions are included in a merging path of a minimum difference metric, the quality is calculated by using only a state transition pattern in which only one zero-cross portion is included in a merging path of a non-minimum difference metric.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a focusing error signal of a lightscribe disc includes the following steps. An optical pickup head is moved to a focusing reference surface by utilizing radial voltages to some predetermined measuring positions to find and record the best gain value used to calibrate the asymmetry of the focusing error signal. The best gain fitting curve is formed by curve-fitting, based on the recorded radial voltages and the best gain values. The best gain value is obtained by an interpolation or extrapolation method, and used to calibrate the asymmetry of the focusing error signal of a lightscribe disc.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a reproduced signal evaluation method and a write adjustment method for offering a Blu-ray disc having a large storage capacity with excellent media compatibility. An evaluation index L-SEAT is calculated through signed addition using a Euclidean distance difference calculated from at least one of target signals in which a focused edge is shifted to the right and left, and the quality of the reproduced signal is evaluated based on the evaluation index. Write condition adjustment using the index enables write adjustment not depending on SNR and achieving high adjustment accuracy.

Abstract: A novel evaluation index is introduced so as to allow both a total evaluation of data recording and an evaluation of individual detection patterns. A data recording evaluation method includes a step of reproducing the result of data recording performed on an optical disk and identifying a predetermined detection pattern in a reproduction signal, a step of detecting the signal state of the reproduction signal corresponding to the predetermined detection pattern, and a first calculation step of calculating a first recording state evaluation index value based on the detected signal state and a reference condition which is identified from the predetermined detection pattern and adjusted so as to reflect the signal state of the reproduction signal.