Abstract: An optical disk drive according to the present invention has the ability to read data from multiple types of optical disks, each of which includes at least one information storage layer. The drive includes: a driving mechanism 120, which is loaded with a selected one of the optical disks of the multiple types and which rotates the optical disk 102; an optical pickup 30 for irradiating the optical disk 102, which has been loaded into the driving mechanism 120, with a converged light beam, thereby generating an electrical signal based on light that has been reflected from the optical disk 102; and a control section (ODC 50) for controlling operations of the driving mechanism 120 and the optical pickup 30. The control section 50 includes a right/wrong side determining section for determining, by reference to the electrical signal generated by the optical pickup 30, whether or not the optical disk 102 has been loaded into the driving mechanism 120 with the other surface opposed to the optical pickup 30.

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: An apparatus for converting a groove/land polarity on an optical medium, comprises a physical identification (PID) detector for detecting a first PID value from a first sector, a sector information unit for providing an information which includes a second PID value indicative of either a second sector or at least one reference groove/land changing point, a sector counter for counting a first value whose an initiation is set by the sector information unit based on the information and/or by the PID detector based on the first PID value, and a comparing unit for determining at least one oncoming groove/land changing points, when the first value approaches a second value predetermined in or generated by the sector information unit according to the information.

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: An optical disk apparatus includes an I/O port that connects to a port of a drive apparatus, and a storage unit that prestores manufacturing information in correspondence with device drivers. The optical disk apparatus further includes a controller that transmits a command indicating to return manufacturing information, to the drive apparatus via the I/O port. When manufacturing information is returned from the drive apparatus via the I/O port, the controller extracts a device driver corresponding to the returned manufacturing information from the device drivers in the storage unit. The controller then controls a reading operation or a recording operation of the drive apparatus on the optical disk, based on the extracted device driver.

Abstract: A method of detection is described to be used in file system-based player devices to determine the type of compact disk that has been inserted into a player. The method automatically distinguishes between the DTS-CD format and standard audio CDs. The method allows the operating system or CPU software to take appropriate action to decode and playback the audio stream once the a decision between standard audio CD or DTS-CD is made.

Abstract: When a medium selection button 101 is operated, an optical disc reproduction apparatus 1 recognizes which medium is selected according to inputted medium selection information, and then opens a tray 104. Next, when a medium selection button 101 is operated, the optical disc reproduction apparatus 1 determines the inputted medium selection information and closes the tray 104. Next, the optical disc reproduction apparatus 1 acquires a priority list 16 and modifies the priority list 16 such that the order of the selected medium in the priority list 16 is a first priority and the remaining orders of the other media are successively lowered. The optical disc reproduction apparatus 1 performs a medium check for each of the media in accordance with the orders of the modified priority list 16.

Abstract: A TE signal polarity determining method, includes: (a) obtaining a wobble related signal, an RF related signal, a TE signal and an accessing direction; and (b) determining if an original polarity of a TE signal should be changed or not according to phases of the RF related signal, the wobble related signal and/or the accessing direction.

Abstract: An optical disc drive for recording and/or reading information on or from an optical disc is disclosed. The optical disc drive includes: a position controller which controls the position of the objective lens based on the position-controlling light beam reflected by the reflective surface by condensing the position-controlling light beam by the objective lens such that the position-controlling light beam is brought to a focus at a target guide position on the reflective surface corresponding to the target recording position; a tilt angle detector which detects tilt angle of the optical disc relative to optical axis of the position-controlling light beam; and a focal position corrector which makes a correction such that a focal position obtained when the information light beam is condensed by the objective lens is aligned to the target recording position according to the tilt angle.

Abstract: An optical disk device includes an intermittent reproducing unit to perform an intermittent reproducing process to reproduce data recorded on an optical disk in a forward or reverse direction and at specific time intervals, each removing predetermined amount of data, an intermittent reproduction start instruction unit, upon receiving an instruction to start the intermittent reproducing process, to designate an intermittent reproduction start position and an intermittent reproducing direction, and to issue an instruction, and a storage unit to store the intermittent reproduction start position as information concerning a recording position for data skipped and unreproduced during a current intermittent reproducing process, when the instruction is issued.

Abstract: An optical disc includes tracking polarity information. The optical disc includes a clamping area, a lead-in area, a data area, and a burst cutting area (BCA). The BCA is present between the clamping area and the lead-in area and in which information regarding the optical disc is recorded, and the information is read before performing tracking in the data area. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain the tracking polarity information and/or reflectivity information without trial and error and directly record or reproduce user data in a data area of the optical disc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of writing data to a disc (OD). The method comprising a) performing a writing action in which a first data portion is written to the disc; a2) deciding to perform b) or not and b) verifying at least part of the first data portion that is written to the disc and deciding to replace the first data portion that is written to the disc or not. Finally the method comprises c) performing a further writing action in which a second data portion is written to the disc.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus includes a first electric power source portion to convert a first power source voltage into a predetermined voltage, to be supplied to a part of the optical disc apparatus. A second electric power source, to convert a second power source voltage into another predetermined voltage, is supplied to other parts of the optical disc apparatus. An electric power source observation portion observes voltages of the first electric power source portion and the second electric power source portion so as to release resetting of a system constituting the optical disc apparatus, when the voltages of the first electric power source portion and the second electric power source portion reach respective predetermined voltages.

Abstract: A laser power controller includes a loop control section to control a laser light output level of an optical head that applies laser light onto a disk for recording data to be a prescribed value, a DAC control section to hold as a previous level a laser control level preceding switching of a laser output level upon track change between a groove track and a land track during recording, and an analog SW to select the DAC control section to control the laser light output level by the previous level for a certain time period from the track change and to select the loop control section after the certain time period.

Abstract: With an object of executing excellent finishing processing when information is recorded to a rewritable type record medium or a write once type record medium, the finishing processing is switched by whether a kind of a medium for recording information is the rewritable type record medium or the write once type record medium and a method of executing the finishing processing is switched based on a state of supplying power.

Abstract: An objective lens is moved with a disc irradiated with laser light. A maximum value FEmax and a minimum value FEmin of the focus error signal, and a maximum value FSmax of the amplitude of a focus sum signal are measured. “(FEmax?FEmin)/FSmax” is compared with a determination value to determine the type of a disc.

Abstract: A method for discriminating an optical storage medium is disclosed. A predetermined range of the optical storage medium is read after the light source is focused on; and thereby a plurality of data transition points and transition regions defined by an interval of two neighboring points are obtained. Thereafter, the time-consumption for reading the longest transition region is used to determine the type of the currently accessed optical storage medium. Another physical characteristics according to data storage formats, such as the PLL clock frequency or the distance between the reflection layer and the surface layer of the optical storage medium, may be used as references to discriminate the currently accessed optical storage medium.

Abstract: A media processor is capable of keeping disposal history of media regardless of whether the media is externally created media or not. In the media processor, while used media set in a created media storage unit is being conveyed to a media disposal mechanism by a media conveying mechanism, a label surface image printed on a label surface of the media is read by a line sensor. Subsequently, the media is disposed of by the media disposal mechanism such that reading and writing are not possible. In a storage unit, the read image printed on the label surface is stored as media disposal history.

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: The continuous update of the Recorded Area Indicator on a DVD+R disc leads to a loss in performance of the recorder. If the update is not continuous, the Recorded Area Indicator on the disc may not accurately reflect the status. In order to ensure that the Recorded Area Indicator accurately reflects the status but avoids loss of performance, the update of the Recorded Area Indicator is performed when a close track session command is issued to the drive signaling the end of the recording, regardless of whether the track or session on the disc remains open. During the recording the Recorded Area Indicator is kept and updated in the memory of the recorder.

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: A data recording apparatus automatically displays a GUI for suggesting the finalization process when the apparatus ejects a disk which has not been finalized. Since the user can eject the disk after he determines if he will make the apparatus perform the finalization process, the user, who does not fully understand the meaning of the finalization, even can decide whether he finalizes a recording medium with the DVD-R standard to enable the recording medium to be played in a device of a different standard.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a recording device and media for storing computer readable data on a removable storage medium that includes using a first wavelength to write data to the removable storage medium and creating marks while writing the data that have predetermined wide spot sizes so that the marks can be read with a second wavelength, different from the first wavelength, of another computer readable storage device.

Abstract: One inventive aspect relates to a method which easily distinguishes copycat products that are difficult to distinguish by identifying only a media ID. A media ID and other attribute data are read out of a reference optical recording medium, and then a media ID and other attribute data are read out of an optical recording medium that is a target for separation. They are compared with each other in a data record processing section to determine whether data is data matched or not matched, and the result is displayed on a display section.

Abstract: After an optical disk drive according to the present invention has been loaded with an optical disk and before the operation of recognizing the type of the given disk is finished, the drive presumes one of multiple types of candidate optical disks, from/on which data is readable and writable using a light beam with the shortest wavelength among the candidate disks, to be the disk being driven by the motor now and gets the beam for the presumed type of disk radiated from a light source (Step (A)). Next, the drive gets the disk spun at a rotational velocity that realizes a linear velocity equal to or higher than a standardized normal velocity when data is read from the presumed type of disk (Step (B)). Thereafter, the drive starts a focus control in a situation where the spot of the beam being formed on the disk is moving on the disk at the linear velocity equal to or higher than the normal velocity (Step (C)).

Abstract: When a disc loaded on a player is a hybrid next generation DVD, determination is made on whether the connected TV device is adaptable for the HD mode. Such determination is performed by whether or not the copyright protecting function of the connected TV device satisfies a condition set in advance. When adaptable for the HD mode, reproduction prioritizing the HDDVD layer is performed. When not adaptable for the HD mode, reproduction prioritizing the DVD layer is performed. Thus, the video content of HD mode recorded on the HDDVD layer is protected against leakage to the outside via the connected TV device by reproducing the DVD layer in preference in the case the copyright protecting function of the TV device is not sufficient.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing device (1) in which, when the power is turned off, the state of the power can be controlled to be in either one of a first power-off state and a second power-off state in which the recording and reproduction device (1) can be started faster than in the first power-off state. The recording and reproducing device (1) has a “first standby mode” during which the power state of the device is controlled to the first power-off state when the device receives a power-off instruction, and a “second standby mode” during which the power state of the device is controlled to the second power-off state when the device receives a power-off instruction. A power controller (30) makes, according to a setting time zone, the second standby mode active only for a predetermined time zone including the setting time zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides an information processing unit with improved operability. A reading section (10) reads information recorded in an optical disk, and outputs a read signal. A DSP (20) detects the read signal and processes to a reproducible form. A quick return button selects at least one of the processing details for starting or stopping the information processing and for changing a reproducing position of the information. When a reproducing state changing section (120) recognizes a change instruction for changing a processing state for the information, a reproduction control section (52) changes the processing state by the DSP 20 based on the processing details selected with the quick return button.

Abstract: A multi-zone calibration system is disclosed. The multi-zone calibration system calibrates the operating parameters of an optical disk drive over a plurality of zones over an optical media. The optical media, in addition, can have writeable and premastered portions. The operating parameters can be calibrated for each of the media types in each of the zones. Additionally, the operating parameters can be calibrated for each type of operation (e.g., read or write) in each zone.

Abstract: An optical pickup is opposed to an inner-radius portion of an optical disc that is set, and pits (a modulation signal) are read by applying laser light for a DVD to the inner-radius portion. The read-out modulation signal is decoded by inputting it to a CD decoder. If decoded disc information includes particular verification data, the optical disc is judged to be a legitimate optical disc of a particular type and formation of a visible image on the label surface is permitted.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing unit for recording/reproducing information data on/from a recording medium, an initialization unit for initializing the recording medium in one of a first initialization mode in which information data recorded in all recording areas of the recording media is erased and a second initialization mode in which management data for information data recorded on the recording medium is erased from certain areas of the recording medium and erasion is not performed on other recording areas, and a control unit for controlling the initialization unit in accordance with an instruction to shut off a power of the apparatus during initialization, wherein processing by the initialization unit is changed between a case where the power-off instruction is received during initialization in the first initialization mode and a case where the power-off instruction is received during initialization in the second initialization mode.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus comprises an optical pickup with a thread load, a thread motor for moving the optical pickup, and an inner circumferential switch. When the optical pickup is moved to an innermost circumference of an optical disc to turn on the switch, the pickup is stopped, and the moving direction of the pickup is changed to the outer circumferential side. A driving voltage applied to the motor is gradually increased. The driving voltage, at which the pickup moving to the outer circumferential side causes the switch to be turned off, is set as an automatically adjusted value of the driving voltage applied to the motor. Thereafter, this automatically adjusted value, which corresponds to the thread load, is used to drive the motor. This makes it possible to absorb variations of thread loads and reduce variation in rezero operation, achieving cost reduction, without using a thread sensor.

Abstract: A method of an embodiment of the invention optically writes a plurality of image data files on an optically writable data side of an optical disc. The method optically marks a plurality of thumbnail images on an optically writable label side of the optical disc. Each thumbnail image corresponds to one of the image data files.

Abstract: When it is determined that the disc loaded on a player is a hybrid next generation DVD, the DVD layer is reproduced with a red laser light. In parallel with this reproduction process, a process for notifying the presence of the HDDVD layer is performed. That is, determination is made on whether the notification timing defined in advance has been reached. If the notification timing has been reached, a control instruction is output from a controller to an AV processing circuit, and the image information including the image notifying the presence of the HDDVD layer is output from the AV processing circuit. Thus, the user may learn that the HDDVD layer can be reproduced.

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: 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 calibration method for improving stability of write control signal during writing can be applied in a CD recorder. The CD recorder has a pickup device having a laser diode, and a write control device for outputting a write control signal. A first relationship curve showing the relationship between the write control signal and a light-emitting power generated by the laser diode is obtained by switching the pickup device into a de-focus state and switching the write control device into a close-loop mode. A second relationship curve showing the relationship between a gain of the write control device and the write control signal is obtained by switching the write control device into a long-term open mode. When a specific light-emitting power is adapted to write, a specific write control signal and a specific gain corresponding to the specific light-emitting power is obtained according to the first and second relationship curves.

Abstract: An information recording and reproducing apparatus (S) is provided with: a first reproducing device (11) for reproducing audio information from a first information record medium (DK), in which the audio information is recorded; a recording device (28) for recording the reproduced audio information into a second information record medium (HD); a second reproducing device (28) for reproducing the audio information recorded in the second information record medium; and a controlling device (6) for setting a recording speed when recording the audio information into the second information record medium and a reproducing speed when reproducing the audio information from the second information record medium such that the recording speed is equal to or higher than the reproducing speed, and controlling the second reproducing device and the recording device so as to perform reproducing the recorded audio information from the second information record medium at the set reproducing speed in parallel to recording the audi

Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus includes a writing/reading unit writing data to or reading data from an information recording medium having an access control area in which access control data is recorded, the access control data having common information set to allow the recording/reproducing apparatus that cannot recognize a predetermined function adapted to the information recording medium to control access to the information recording medium; and a control unit controlling the writing/reading unit to record access control data regarding a function recognizable by the recording/reproducing apparatus in the access control area when the information recording medium is initialized or reinitialized.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for accurately converting a groove/land polarity upon a groove/land track change on an optical medium, by way of initially deciding a reference groove/land changing point or a decoded PID of any one specific sector formed on the optical medium. By counting a specific number of sectors from the reference groove/land changing point or the specific sector, a subsequent groove/land changing point will easily be approached for converting the groove/land polarity, and even the other oncoming track changing points on the optical medium also can be determined.

Abstract: This invention relates to a karaoke CD format and a device for controlling audio signals utilizing the karaoke CD format which provides a user with selective reproduction of the voice of a player. The karaoke CD format includes a CD format divided into video sectors and audio sectors. The audio sectors are further divided into a part for recording accompaniment sound and playing sound at the same time and a part for recording accompaniment sound only. There is provided record coding information for distinguishing the parts. A device, method and recording medium for reproducing digital data, are discussed. According to an embodiment, the recording medium includes digital audio data recorded thereon, the digital audio data comprising data units corresponding to at least one of: a first type of digital audio data, and a second type of digital audio data which includes at least one content different from the first type of digital audio data.

Abstract: This invention relates to a karaoke CD format and a device for controlling audio signals utilizing the karaoke CD format which provides a user with selective reproduction of the voice of a player. The karaoke CD format includes a CD format divided into video sectors and audio sectors. The audio sectors are further divided into a part for recording accompaniment sound and playing sound at the same time and a part for recording accompaniment sound only. There is provided record coding information for distinguishing the parts. A system, method and storage medium for reproducing digital data, are discussed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a karaoke CD format and a device for controlling audio signals utilizing the karaoke CD format which provides a user with selective reproduction of the voice of a player. The karaoke CD format includes a CD format divided into video sectors and audio sectors. The audio sectors are further divided into a part for recording accompaniment sound and playing sound at the same time and a part for recording accompaniment sound only. There is provided record coding information for distinguishing the parts. An apparatus, method and storage medium for reproducing digital data, are discussed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a karaoke CD format and a device for controlling audio signals utilizing the karaoke CD format which provides a user with selective reproduction of the voice of a player. The karaoke CD format includes a CD format divided into video sectors and audio sectors. The audio sectors are further divided into a part for recording accompaniment sound and playing sound at the same time and a part for recording accompaniment sound only. There is provided record coding information for distinguishing the parts. An apparatus, method and storage medium for reproducing digital data, are discussed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a karaoke CD format and a device for controlling audio signals utilizing the karaoke CD format which provides a user with selective reproduction of the voice of a player. The karaoke CD format includes a CD format divided into video sectors and audio sectors. The audio sectors are further divided into a part for recording accompaniment sound and playing sound at the same time and a part for recording accompaniment sound only. There is provided record coding information for distinguishing the parts. An apparatus, method and storage medium for reproducing digital data, are discussed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a karaoke CD format and a device for controlling audio signals utilizing the karaoke CD format which provides a user with selective reproduction of the voice of a player. The karaoke CD format includes a CD format divided into video sectors and audio sectors. The audio sectors are further divided into a part for recording accompaniment sound and playing sound at the same time and a part for recording accompaniment sound only. There is provided record coding information for distinguishing the parts. A device, method and recording medium for reproducing digital data, are discussed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a karaoke CD format and a device for controlling audio signals utilizing the karaoke CD format which provides a user with selective reproduction of the voice of a player. The karaoke CD format includes a CD format divided into video sectors and audio sectors. The audio sectors are further divided into a part for recording accompaniment sound and playing sound at the same time and a part for recording accompaniment sound only. There is provided record coding information for distinguishing the parts. An apparatus, method and storage medium for reproducing a digital data, are discussed.

Abstract: An optical disc recording and reproducing apparatus can record data, which is provided in a packet having a fixed length, on an optical disc without waiting for a long time for a completion of a formatting operation. The optical disc is formatted by a formatting process performed as a background process so that another process is acceptable after a start of the formatting process. The formatting process is performed so as to fill at least a predetermined part of a recording area of said optical disc by packets having a fixed length.

Abstract: This invention relates to a karaoke CD format and a device for controlling audio signals utilizing the karaoke CD format which provides a user with selective reproduction of the voice of a player. The karaoke CD format includes a CD format divided into video sectors and audio sectors. The audio sectors are further divided into a part for recording accompaniment sound and playing sound at the same time and a part for recording accompaniment sound only. There is provided record coding information for distinguishing the parts. An apparatus, method and storage medium for processing digital data are discussed.