Abstract: The present invention provides a method of recording control information in a recordable optical disc including at least one recording layer. In recording control information within a management area of an optical disc including at least one or more recording layers, the present invention includes providing the control information to each of the at least one or more recording layers per recording velocity, recording an information identifying a type of the corresponding control information within the control information, and recording a write strategy (WS) interworking with the type of the control information. In recording a write strategy (WS) within disc information, CLV and CAV are separately recorded, whereby it is able to efficiently cope with the record/playback of the optical disc.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical disk drive. The optical disk drive has an objective lens to be driven by a focus actuator with a focus offset for focusing an incident beam onto an optical disk into a spot with a spherical aberration, and a processor to derive a first and a second characteristic from a sensor output signal and obtain a spherical aberration correction value (SA) from a pre-determined function, the pre-determined function defining a spherical aberration correction value in dependence on a focus offset difference value (?FO). The focus offset difference value (?FO) is determined from a difference between a second optimal focus offset at which the second characteristic is optimal and a first optimal focus offset at which the first characteristic is optimal. The spherical aberration correction value (SA) can be used to achieve a correction to the spherical aberration of the spot.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing apparatus is provided, which includes a rotary drive unit, an optical pickup unit, an adjustment unit which compensates for changes in characteristics of the laser light caused by changes in temperature, a temperature detection unit which detects a temperature of the optical pickup unit, an evaluation value generation unit which generates an evaluation value based on reflected light information, and a control unit. The control unit performs a temperature acquisition process, an optimum point adjustment process, a temperature acquisition process for acquiring a detected temperature during spin down, an optimum point search process, and a temperature characteristic compensation operation coefficient calculation process for performing temperature compensation with respect to the adjustment values.

Abstract: In a reproduction signal quality evaluation device, a pattern detector detects, from a code sequence obtained by PRML decoding, a predetermined pattern including a portion corresponding to a zero-cross point of a reproduction signal sequence obtained by PR equalization in PRML decoding. A distance difference calculator calculates a difference between the distances between the reproduction signal sequence and each of two ideal transition sequences of the reproduction signal sequence by computing an expression corresponding to the detected pattern using the value of a sample point of the reproduction signal sequence that is in a portion corresponding to the detected pattern and corresponds to a code relatively greatly weighted in an equalization expected value of a code sequence subsequent to the detected pattern. A dispersion calculator calculates a dispersion of the calculated distance difference.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an apparatus for recording data in a recording medium, includes a reading/recording unit recording or reading data on or from the recording medium, the read data including a position information, the position information indicating a last recorded position and a recordable position for new data to be recorded; and a controller examining whether or not an area corresponding to the recordable position has an already recorded data, and determining whether to change the recordable position to another position for recording the new data based on the examination result, the another position being physically separated from the recordable position indicated by the read data recording information, wherein the controller identifies another position for recording the new data if the area has the already recorded data.

Abstract: An enhanced write splice for optical recording channels is disclosed. Optical control circuitry locks to previously-written data and determines the estimated write splice location. A training sequence is written to the optical medium at a location based on the estimated write splice location. The phase offset is then estimated by reading the training sequence. A new write splice location may then be calculated compensating for the phase offset estimate. Finally, the new data to be spliced may be written or overwritten to the channel at the new write splice location.

Abstract: Provided is an optical disk apparatus which has high read retry ability and high compatibility by performing a proper verify for other apparatuses. The optical disk apparatus includes a playback system capable of arbitrarily changing playback performance, and means which detects and determines a factor causing a read error. Moreover, a read retry is performed by use of playback parameters corresponding to the factor causing the read error. Furthermore, a verify is performed with the playback performance of the playback system lowered.

Abstract: A reproduction signal evaluation method according to the present invention includes a step of generating a binary signal from an information recording medium on which a data sequence including marks and spaces in combination is recordable, using a PRML signal processing method from a signal obtained by reproducing the data sequence; and a differential calculation step of calculating a differential metric using a first state transition path having a maximum likelihood and a second state transition path having a second maximum likelihood, and a reproduction signal, the first state transition path and the second state transition path being obtained based on the binary signal.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a write unit to write information data read from a memory by irradiating a disk medium with a beam in accordance with the information data, and a control unit to, upon the amount of information data stored in the memory reaching a threshold, instruct the write unit to start writing of the information data. In response to the write instruction, the write unit reads the information data stored in the memory and writes the read information data onto the disk medium while it is rotating. Upon the amount of information data in the memory decreasing to a predetermined value, the write unit stops reading and writing of the information data from the memory and onto the disk medium. The control unit sets a value of the threshold in accordance with the number of times the write unit has performed writing of the information data.

Abstract: There is provided an optical information recording/reproducing apparatus capable of obtaining a high super-resolution effect using an optical information recording medium in which a super-resolution thin film is formed. An optical information recording medium 1 having a super-resolution layer is irradiated with a laser light in a light emission pattern such that a bias light emission portion that does not cause the super-resolution layer to be in the state of super-resolution and a pulse light emission portion that causes the super-resolution layer to be in the state of super-resolution alternatively appear, and reflected light is detected. A reproduction signal based on the pulse light emission portion and a reproduction signal based on the bias light emission portion are acquired.

Abstract: A recording apparatus recording data on an optical disk includes a management information checking unit that determines whether or not management information on the optical disk for managing the data recorded on the optical disk exists by checking for management information on the optical disk when the optical disk is inserted in the recording apparatus; an area usage checking unit that determines whether or not a usage history of an optical disk area for optimizing recording power exists by checking a use condition of the optical disk area for optimizing recording power; and an abnormality detection unit that determines whether or not an optical disk abnormality exists in accordance with the presence or absence of management information on the optical disk and the presence or absence of a usage history of the optical disk area for optimizing recording power.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the quality of a signal on an optical disc based on level information of a viterbi decoder are provided. The signal quality measuring apparatus includes: a binary unit that generates binary signals from input RF signals; a channel identifier that receives the input RF signals and the binary signals output from the binary unit and outputs reference level values corresponding to the binary signals; and an information calculator that receives the reference level values and detects a signal quality value.

Abstract: An optical recording medium having a plural number of recording layers includes a n-th recording layer (23) (n?1), made up by a substrate (20) and a semi-reflective layer (21) carried by the substrate (20) and adapted for partially reflecting and partially transmitting the incident light, a (n+1)th recording layer (28), made up by another substrate (25) and a reflecting layer (26) carried by the substrate (25) and adapted for reflecting the incident light, and a light condensing layer (24) for condensing the light incident via the n-th recording layer (23) on the (n+1)th recording layer (28).

Abstract: An optical disk reproducing apparatus has a circuit for detecting a difference in modulation scheme between two types of optical disks in a reproduction signal and a circuit for determining the modulation schemes of the disks on the basis of the difference. Thus the apparatus can reproduce the two optical disks with use of the circuit which determines the modulation schemes of the disks to be reproduced.

Abstract: An information recording method using a read modify write operation includes determining whether a write command is inconsistent or not, on the basis of a unit of a cluster. When the write command onto the rewritable type optical disk needs verification and the read modify write operation is executed, then a verify process is conducted only upon a part of the information, which is written through the read modify write operation. The method achieves an increase in recording speed and an improvement on reliability of recorded information through the read modify write, even when the verify process is unnecessary.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of recording control information in a recordable optical disc including at least one recording layer. In recording control information within a management area of an optical disc including at least one or more recording layers, the present invention includes providing the control information to each of the at least one or more recording layers per recording velocity, recording an information identifying a type of the corresponding control information within the control information, and recording a write strategy (WS) interworking with the type of the control information. In recording a write strategy (WS) within disc information, CLV and CAV are separately recorded, whereby it is able to efficiently cope with the record/playback of the optical disc.

Abstract: The gain controlling portion sets a gain of an RF amplifier to a maximum range when an activation process starts for an optical disk. The binary process condition setting portion sets an upper threshold level and a lower threshold level corresponding to 80% of upper and lower levels of the maximum range as the binary process condition for the binary process portion. A vacant part without a signal between the upper threshold level and the lower threshold level corresponds to a part of a CAPA signal. The binary signal ratio calculating portion measures a time period of a binary signal from a binary process portion that performs a binary process on the vacant part, and it calculates a binary signal ratio indicating a ratio of the time period of the binary signal to a time period corresponding to one rotation of the optical disk. The disk discriminating portion determines that the loaded optical disk is a DVD-RAM if the binary signal ratio is a value within the range of 4±1 %.

Abstract: The BCA recording and reproducing apparatus performs recording of data onto an optical disc placed on a recording turntable, reproduction of data recorded on an optical disc placed on a reproducing turntable and ejection of an optical disc placed on an exchanging table and placement of a new optical disc on the exchanging table in parallel. A processing time is thereby shortened compared with the case of performing data recording, reproduction and exchange in series.

Abstract: In a test disc, data (test data) is recorded in such a manner as to fill an entirety of a data region and, next to this test data, border-out data is recorded which contains information indicating that recording is prohibited. By determining whether the data can be played back appropriately from a position in the vicinity of an outer periphery of the disc where playback characteristics are apt to be unstable, whether the data can be played back appropriately from all of the regions is verified. Also, by determining whether it is possible to recognize that test disc is capable of recording, it is verified whether the border-out data can be smoothly acquired from the position in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the disc where playback characteristics are apt to be unstable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the read stability of an optical disc are provided. Specifically, readout of the optical disc is repeated at each of at least two read laser beams powers being different from each other. A graph is drawn in which the inverses of the read powers are plotted on a horizontal axis and in which on a vertical axis is plotted the logarithm of a repeated readout number for each of the read powers. Here, the repeated readout number is the number of repetitions of the readout when a characteristic value for the number of repetitions of the readout varies and reaches a predetermined value. The read stability of the optical disc is evaluated by using the gradient of the graph.

Abstract: Based on actual recording power information obtained during test writing, a recording power is efficiently controlled with high accuracy during actual recording. An information recording apparatus irradiates a laser light onto an information recording medium such as an optical disc to record data and reproduce the recorded data. In recording actual data such as data designated by a user, the information recording apparatus temporarily stops recording at the time when predetermined amount of data is recorded, and confirms recording quality. Namely, the apparatus reproduces the recorded data and determines the recording quality based on the reproduced data. When it is determined that the recording quality is within an appropriate range, the recording of the actual data is continued at the recording power.

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 unit has: a pattern detection section for extracting, from a binary signal, a specific state transition pattern which has a possibility of causing a bit error; a differential metric computing section for computing a differential metric based on the binary signal of the extracted state transition pattern; an error computing section for computing an error rate predicted based on an integration value that is integrated by an integration section, a count value that is counted by a pattern count section, an integration value that is integrated by another integration section, and a count value that is counted by another pattern count section, and a standard deviation computing section for computing a standard deviation based on the computed error rate.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to curtail the time required from the receipt of a demand for certification processing of a rewritable optical disk from an apparatus of the higher order to the receipt of a demand for recording processing. In order to achieve this object, a digital data recording method for recording on a rewritable optical disk includes certification processing including a first step of recording certification data for the certification processing on the optical disk, a second step of recording user data different from the certification data on the optical disk after the first step, and a third step of reproducing the data recorded in the first step or the second step after the second step, and switches the certification processing based on the result reproduced in the third step.

Abstract: An optical storage system includes an optical pick-up head for receiving and transforming an optical signal into an electric signal; a pre-amplifier for receiving the electric signal and outputting a RF signal and a position error signal; a data and timing recovery unit for receiving the RF signal and generating a modulated signal and a clock signal; an error correction unit for generating a data signal according to the modulation signal and the clock signal; a defect signal generator for receiving the RF signal and generating a defect signal according to the RF signal, wherein the defect signal is enabled when the RF signal has a defect; and an error correction controller for receiving the defect signal and generating an error correction control signal according to the defect signal, wherein the error correction unit further receives the error correction control signal and adjusts the decoding strategy of the error correction unit according to the error correction control signal.

Abstract: Calibration methods are provided for determining servo parameters to enhance an optical drive in reading and writing a blank optical disc. First, test data is written on the blank disc with various writing parameters. Second, the written test data is read from the optical disc with various reading parameters. A plurality of quality measures are obtained, each corresponds to a specific combination of the writing parameter and the reading parameter. An optimal writing parameter and an optimal reading parameter are determined by comparing the quality measures with respect to both the reading and writing parameters respectively.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a computer system comprises application logic executable to search an optical medium for at least one type of file system that may be resident on the optical medium. In response to identifying the presence of at least one type of file system resident on the optical medium, the system readies a media driver of an apparatus to make the at least one file system available for access.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for reproducing encoded data that includes a data analyzer configured to analyze an encode method of the encoded data to reproduce, a controller configured to receive a seek command and a target time to seek, calculate a seek controlling bit rate according to a part of the encoded data, and compute, according to the calculated seek controlling bit rate, a data size corresponding to the target time to seek, and a decoder configured to skip the encoded data for the computed data size by the controller and decode, based on the analyzed encode method by the data analyzer, the encoded data after the end of the skipped part thereof.

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 information recording medium includes a lead-in area and a data area for storing contents information. The lead-in area includes a first lead-in information area and a second lead-in information area. The first lead-in information area corresponds to a first playback mode. The second lead-in information area corresponds to a second playback mode different from the first playback mode. The first lead-in information area has a first depth and is designed for storing lead-in information related to the contents information stored in the data area. The second lead-in information area includes pre-pits having a second depth greater than the first depth. The pre-pits represent predetermined information, such as information of copyright protection, related to the contents information stored in the data area.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus for outputting a plurality of picture data forming reproduced data to a reproduction apparatus for reproduction, the data processing apparatus having a processing circuit for judging if the reproduction rate of the picture data by the reproduction apparatus is slower than a transfer rate for transferring the picture data to the reproduction apparatus and outputting all of the picture data forming the reproduced data to the reproduction apparatus when judging as a result of the judgment that the reproduction rate is slower than the transfer rate.

Abstract: In the present invention, the processing sequence of a microprocessor for restructuring the recording parameters when changing the recording in an optical disk recording apparatus from a constant angular velocity (CAV) mode to a constant linear velocity (CLV) mode is as follows: (1) interrupt the recording process; (2) calculate a linear velocity at a point where the recording linear velocity becomes constant; (3) calculate a third recording parameter in the linear velocity by a linear interpolation based on first and second recording parameters which are corrected by test writing, replacing all the recording parameters for an outer circumference of an optical disk from a radius position where the linear velocity becomes Cx, with the third recording parameter; and (4) restart the recording with the third recording parameter as a recording condition.

Abstract: A data storage system having a read channel configured to function in a normal operation mode and a test mode. In the normal operation mode, the read channel is configured to decode a readback signal to obtain data bits. In the test mode, the read channel is configured to extract gain control loop data and/or timing control loop data from the readback signal.

Abstract: A normal resolution component included in a readout signal of a super resolution optical disc is canceled to improve quality of the readout signal. The normal resolution component is separated from the readout signal of the super resolution optical disc by using a normal resolution selection filter such as a low pass filter, a mark length determination circuit, and then the normal resolution component is subtracted from an original readout signal while gain and a phase are appropriately controlled. Thereby, an influence of crosstalk due to the normal resolution component is reduced.

Abstract: A method of verifying whether a recording and/or reproducing apparatus that records and/or reproduces a disc having temporary defect management area (TDMA) information properly produces the TDMA information, the method including producing TDMA information produced by performing a recording test according to a series of recording operations based on a scenario using a blank test disc as test information; and providing a result of the recording test by confirming the test information using reference test information for the recording test.

Abstract: When writing on a recordable medium the recorder can encounter write errors. When a write error occurrs the record carrier is discarded. By ignoring write errors in sections of the record carrier comprising unused information, for instance sections of the lead-in or lead-out the record carrier no longer needs to be discarded.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a computer system comprises application logic executable to search an optical medium for at least one type of file system that may be resident on the optical medium. In response to identifying the presence of at least one type of file system resident on the optical medium, the system readies a media driver of an apparatus to make the at least one file system available for access.

Abstract: An optical disk recording/reproducing apparatus for accurately determining optimum recording power of a laser beam even if medium deviations occurs, stabilizing recording quality, and realizing recording which hardly causes read inability error. In test recording, a laser drive (5) irradiates a laser beam to an optical disk (1) to record information while varying the recording power stepwise and reproduce the information stepwise recorded on the optical disk. A recorded state index value calculating unit (9) determines the value representing the index of the recorded state from the signal level of the reproduced information at each step. A smoothing calculating unit (11) performs smoothing calculation of the recorded state index value at each step.

Abstract: A reproduction signal evaluation method according to the present invention includes a step of generating a binary signal from an information recording medium on which a data sequence including marks and spaces in combination is recordable, using a PRML signal processing method from a signal obtained by reproducing the data sequence; and a differential calculation step of calculating a differential metric using a first state transition path having a maximum likelihood and a second state transition path having a second maximum likelihood, and a reproduction signal, the first state transition path and the second state transition path being obtained based on the binary signal.

Abstract: A signal pattern detecting apparatus, which is capable of detecting a physical mark in a read back signal being read from an optical disc, includes a matching signal generator, a signal comparing device, and a decision circuit. The matching signal generator is utilized for generating a matching signal, capable of being utilized to identify the physical mark, according to a reference clock and a wobble clock. The signal comparing device is electrically connected to the matching signal generator, and utilized for comparing the matching signal with a wobble data signal to generate a comparison signal. The decision circuit is electrically connected to the signal comparing device, and utilized for generating an indication signal according to the comparison signal and a threshold value. Both the wobble data signal and the wobble clock are derived from the read back signal.

Abstract: A data recording method for an optical disk drive is implemented by the following steps. First, one or more data blocks are encoded and recorded sequentially, and it detects if a buffer under run occurs. If a buffer under run occurs, the recording does not stop immediately until at least the main data of the data block being currently recorded have been recorded completely. Afterwards, it restarts to encode and record from the data block next to the data block where the recording stops. Moreover, the recording also can stops if a servo error is detected, and the data restart to encode and record from the data block where the recording stops or at least one data block preceding the data block where the recording stops.

Abstract: A recording method for an optical disk drive is implemented as follows. First, at least one of the level of the focusing error signal, the level of the tracking error signal, a wobble synchronization pattern loss, the error rate of demodulating a wobble signal, the frequency of buffer under-run occurrence, the temperature of the drive, the wobble jitter and the level of write power is detected. If at least one detected value exceeds the preset value, the recording will be ceased. Then, the rotation speed of the optical disk drive is decreased, and the recording is resumed with the decreased rotation speed. If at least one of the temperature of the drive, the wobble jitter and the estimated write power exceeds the reset value before recording starts, the rotation speed of the optical disk drive is decreased before recording.

Abstract: A method utilized for detecting a physical mark in a signal read from an optical disc, including: generating a matching signal capable of being utilized to identify the physical mark according to a reference clock and a wobble clock; generating a comparison signal by comparing the matching signal and a wobble data signal; determining whether a period of which the level of the comparison signal surpass a predetermined level within a predetermined period is greater than a threshold or not; and if the period greater than the threshold, generating an indication signal corresponding to the location of the physical mark. Wherein the wobble data signal and the wobble clock is generated according to the read back signal.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus (1) is provided with: a recording device (11) for recording a data pattern onto a recording medium (100); a reading device (11) for reading the data pattern, thereby obtaining a read signal; an amplitude limit filtering device (15) for limiting an amplitude level of the read signal by using a predetermined amplitude limit value, thereby obtaining an amplitude limit signal and for performing a high frequency emphasis filtering process on the amplitude limit signal, thereby obtaining an equalization-corrected signal; a measuring device (19) for measuring jitter of the equalization-corrected signal or the read signal; a detecting device (20) for detecting the data pattern of the equalization-corrected signal; and an adjusting device (21) for adjusting a recording condition such that the jitter satisfies a desired condition, with reference to the data pattern.

Abstract: An optical disk device includes a recording and reading means which performs recording of data upon, or reading of data from, an optical disk upon which are stored an ID, number of times information, and recording management information. Furthermore, when recording of data upon the optical disk has been completed, this optical disk device stores the recording management information, the number of times information, and the ID of the optical disk in a storage means in mutual correspondence. And, when the optical disk has been mounted, the recording and reading means decides whether a first situation or a second situation holds, using the ID and the number of times information of the optical disk as a key. And, if the second situation holds, the recording and reading means utilizes the recording management information in the storage means.

Abstract: A most probable path is selected from a number n (where n?2) of paths of state transitions occurring from a first state Sk?j (where k?3 and j?2) at a time k?j into a second state Sk at a time k. The method includes the steps of detecting predetermined combinations of the first and second states Sk?j and Sk defining the n probable paths in a predetermined period j between the times k?j and k, and evaluating the reliability of a read signal, decoded in the period j, by |Pa?Pb|. Pa and Pb indicate the probabilities of state transition of first and second state transition paths in the period j. The first and second state transition paths are estimated to be the most probable and the second most probable, respectively, among the n probable paths defined by the combinations detected.

Abstract: A reproduction signal evaluation method for evaluating 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, 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: A time interval analyzer includes a phase comparator which decides whether a measured signal contains a delay quantity for either a positive delay or a negative delay relative to a characteristic value, and a processor circuit which outputs a ratio of a number of the measured signals containing the positive delay and a number of the measured signals containing the negative delay.

Abstract: An apparatus for writing encoded data into a storage medium includes a quality-check signal generator, a defect judgment unit and a verification unit. The quality-check signal generator is utilized for generating a quality-check signal; the defect judgment unit is coupled to the quality-check signal generator and is utilized for generating a defect judgment result according to the quality-check signal; and the verification unit is coupled to the defect judgment unit and is utilized for referring to the defect judgment result to selectively verify the encoded data that have been written into the storage medium.

Abstract: An optical information recording apparatus corrects a recording condition for an optical medium having a difference in recording property between the inner and outer peripheries in real time. The optical information recording apparatus obtains an RF signal by using a playback sub beam and retrieves a portion of the RF signal corresponding to a constant output zone of a recording pulse using a gate signal. An average value of the retrieved signal is computed so as to set a reference position in real time. A difference between the top peak value of the retrieved signal and the average value and a difference between the bottom peak value of the retrieved signal and the average value are computed so as to obtain a ? value in real time from the on-and-off RF signal affected by the recording pulse that turns on and off.