Abstract: Optical information media having high pressure-at-break values, and methods for determining pressure-at-break values are disclosed. The media have high structural integrities, and are designed to confer greater resistance to delamination forces as compared to conventional optical information media.

Abstract: An optical defect detection method for patterned media includes: irradiating a laser beam onto a patterned medium and obtaining reflected light by reflection very close to a sample; outputting the reflected light as an analog electrical signal from an optical receiver; converting the analog signal to a digital signal; obtaining a surface profile in a track direction by sampling the analog signal; obtaining a servo area profile by setting a slice for detecting servo area; calculating an average value in a track width direction based on plural servo area profiles; generating a master servo area profile based on the average value; obtaining a difference between the master servo area profile and the specific servo area profile; and detecting the presence of a defect including surface roughness, process fluctuation, and adhesion of foreign matters, from a differential waveform.

Abstract: In an optical disc having N (N is an integer larger than or equal to 3) information recording layers of rewritable or recordable type, each of the information recording layers includes an test area to adjust conditions for recording and reproduction and the test areas are arranged so that the radial positions thereof overlap those of other layers. Recording test is performed only to an area smaller than or equal to 1/N of the test area of each layer and any other area is always unrecorded (write inhibited).

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: Techniques are described for predicting data cartridge failure based on analysis of data retrieved from an associated cartridge memory chip. In one embodiment, a system includes a chip reader that retrieves data from a cartridge memory chip of a data cartridge, and a computing device that receives the data from the chip reader, analyzes the data, and generates information regarding a health status of the data cartridge based on the analysis. The analysis may be based on execution of an algorithm that is developed from a set of data, stored in a database, that identifies characteristics of data cartridges with a good health status and differentiates them from data cartridges with a bad health status.

Abstract: An optical disc drive includes: a means (116, 117) for generating a synchronization signal from a wobble read signal having location information configured by a wobbled groove; a timing correction circuit (127) that generates a control signal having a time width TW after a predetermined time length from the synchronization signal; and a DC level correction means (126) for clamping the DC level of an information read signal for the time width of the control signal, to thereby correct the DC level. After an information read signal in a vicinity of a head of a recorded data field is subjected to the DC level correction by using the DC level correction means (126), the signal is reproduced by binarizing means disposed at the successive stage.

Abstract: Whether an optically writable label surface of an optical disc is suitable for having an image formed thereon is determined. A detectable number of encoder spokes on a control feature area of the optical disc is counted as the optical disc is rotated. Where the detectable number of encoder spokes is other than a predetermined value, an error condition with respect to the optically writable label surface of the optical disc is indicated.

Abstract: A device enabling simple detection of a recording medium placed on a tray includes at least two electrodes arranged on the tray, an electric field sensor connected to the electrodes, and a control circuit connected to the electric field sensor. The electric field sensor detects capacitance in accordance with the distance between the electrodes relative to the recording medium placed on the tray. The control circuit determines the recording media type of the recording medium based on the capacitance detected by the electric field sensor.

Abstract: An eccentricity measurement method of measuring the eccentricity of a rotary disk of a rotary encoder includes forming, on the rotary disk, at least one first straight-line pattern group in a different radial direction including a plurality of straight-line patterns that are equally spaced in the radial direction and extend in a normal line direction from a base point a predetermined distance away from a center of a radial scale of the rotary disk; placing the rotary disk on a table including at least one second straight-line pattern group including straight-line patterns; and measuring the amount and the direction of the eccentricity of the rotary disk in accordance with the position of the straight-line pattern of the first straight-line pattern group that coincides with the position of the straight line pattern of the second straight-line pattern group in the radial direction.

Abstract: A method for testing a magnetic recording medium tests a magnetic recording medium provided on a non-magnetic substrate (1) with at least a magnetic layer (3) for surface characteristics by using a testing head possessing a heat sensitive element. The method starts from scanning the surface of the magnetic recording medium by using a testing head possessing a heat sensitive element. By this scanning, a signal component of low frequency originating in the swell of the surface of the magnetic recording medium is separated from the signal emitted from the testing head. The protrusion on the surface of the magnetic recording medium is detected from the signal of high frequency remaining after the separation.

Abstract: A method for inspecting an optical information storage medium includes the steps of: irradiating the storage medium with a laser beam and rotating the medium by a constant linear velocity control technique by reference to the radial location at which the laser beam forms a spot on the medium; changing the rotational velocities according to the radial location on the medium between at least two linear velocities that include a first linear velocity Lv1 and a second linear velocity Lv2 higher than the first linear velocity Lv1; generating a focus error signal and/or a tracking error signal based on the light reflected from the medium; performing a focus control and/or a tracking control on the laser beam that irradiates the medium based on the focus and/or tracking error signal(s); and passing the branched outputs of control loops for the focus and/or tracking error signal(s) through predetermined types of frequency band-elimination filters for the focus and/or tracking error signal(s) to obtain residual errors

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes: tracks each including a magnetic recording section in which information is recorded and a non-magnetic-recording section in which no information is recorded; and nonmagnetic guide sections magnetically separating the tracks from one another. The non-magnetic-recording section is formed integrally with nonmagnetic guide sections. The magnetic recording medium includes at least one pair of a first region in which at least a portion of each of the respective non-magnetic-recording sections of first and second tracks and a portion of a magnetic recording section of a third track coincide with one another at a position along a direction in which the tracks extend; and a second region in which at least a portion of each of the respective non-magnetic-recording sections of the first and third tracks and a portion of a magnetic recording section of the second track coincide with one another at a position along the direction in which the tracks extend.

Abstract: A defect generated during a nano-imprint process is inspected by a scatterometry method. The scatterometry method is to illuminate the surface of a medium with light having a plurality of wave lengths by means of a first illuminator through a half mirror and an objective lens and cause light reflected on the medium to be incident on a spectrometer through the objective lens and the half mirror. A second illuminator illuminates a foreign material or scratch on the surface of the medium from an oblique direction with respect to the surface of the medium. Light is scattered from the foreign material or scratch and detected by first and second detectors. The first detector is placed in a direction defining a first elevation angle with the surface of the medium. The second detector is placed in a direction defining a second elevation angle with the surface of the medium.

Abstract: Analyzing magnetic media surfaces for thermal erasures and other characteristics is described. The system includes a drive channel module configured to measure servo automatic gain control values for a magnetic media surface that represent the amount of gain applied by the drive channel module to a preamble signal recorded on the magnetic media surface. The gain control values are then acquired according to certain measurement parameters. The gain control values are then arranged by proximity to each other and organized to generate images that represent changes in the characteristics of the magnetic media surface. Analysis of the images then detects patterns that represent changes in the characteristics of the media surface and determines measurement parameters that coincide with the change in the characteristic.

Abstract: A servo control signal generation device for discriminating a kind of an optical disk, changing over between top and bottom envelope signals of an RF signal, and generating a defect signal and a mirror signal includes an RF generator for generating the RF signal from reflected light of an optical disk, a disk discriminator for discriminating a kind of the optical disk from the RF signal, and a top envelope generator and a bottom envelope generator respectively for generating the top and bottom envelope signals of the RF signal. If the disk has reflectance after recording which is lower than that before recording, the defect and mirror signals are generated respectively from the top and bottom envelope signals. If the disk has reflectance after recording which is higher than that before recording, the defect and mirror signals are generated respectively from the bottom and top envelope signals.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically unthreading a tape. The system and method determine whether the drive being at the stop state could cause the tape sticking condition in future after a defined dwell time (e.g., 20 minutes). The tape sticking tends to increase with time and humidity. Moreover, it is known that worn tape is stickier than new tape. With a plurality of attempts (e.g., four attempts) of moving tape (e.g., every 5 minutes), the drive is able to identify whether the tape needs to be unthreaded. Such a system allows a tape drive to handle the tape in safety at severe condition for the sticking tape, and minimize the penalty for the response to the command in normal condition.

Abstract: An optical disk processing system having a recording unit and a printing unit is provided. An optical disk processing system comprises a printing unit and a recording unit. An optical disk is driven with a low torque and then with a high torque. Based on reaching times until target rotational speeds are reached when the optical disk is driven with the low torque and the high torque, a type of the optical disk is judged. Loading of a plurality of optical disks is detected when the judgment results for low torque and for high torque do not match.

Abstract: A tape data transfer apparatus operable to determine a tape damage condition of a tape received in the apparatus by determining a value representative of a tape pack size of the received tape and comparing the value representative of tape pack size with a tape pack size reference value that is read from the cartridge.

Abstract: An optical disc signal processing device includes a focus position determining section, wherein when test recording is performed while changing a focus position through a plurality of positions, the focus position determining section obtains an optimum recording focus position based on recording qualities of regions on the optical disc where the test recording has been performed. The focus position determining section includes: a recording state measuring section for measuring, for each focus position, a recording quality of a region on the optical disc where the test recording has been performed; and a determination section for determining, according to a predetermined criterion, whether laser power during the test recording is suitable for obtaining the optimum recording focus position, based on the recording quality obtained for each focus position by the recording state measuring section.

Abstract: A pattern transfer apparatus includes a storage-medium-surface detecting unit that detects a foreign substance or defect on a surface of a storage medium and specifies a position and a size of the foreign substance or defect; a relative-position adjusting unit that adjusts a relative position on a contact surface between the surface of the storage medium and a transfer pattern surface of a transfer master, and a relative-position-adjustment instructing unit that calculates an adjusted value of the relative position according to a detection result, and instructs the relative-position adjusting unit to adjust the relative position based on the adjusted value.

Abstract: A method of handling a servo sector defect includes recognizing a first servo sector using a controller; determining whether the first servo sector has a defect; and when the first servo sector has a defect assigning at least a part of a next data sector to be assigned to the first servo sector to a second servo sector having no defect.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data regeneration. For example, a method for data regeneration is disclosed that includes receiving a data input derived from a medium, determining a media defect corresponding to the data input, and determining an attenuation factor associated with the defective medium. Based at least in part on the determination that the medium is defective, amplifying the data input by a derivative of the attenuation factor to regenerate the data.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a pattern shape of a magnetic record medium or its stamper includes: a moving mechanism, on which an object to be inspected where a pattern is formed is placed and which moves the object to be inspected in a radial direction while rotating the object; an irradiating optical system that applies illuminating light of a wide band including far ultraviolet light to the object to be inspected moved in the radial direction while rotating the object by the moving mechanism in a polarized state suitable for the object to be inspected from an oblique direction; a detecting optical system that detects zero-order reflected light generated from the object to be inspected irradiated by the irradiating optical system; and a shape inspection unit that inspects a pattern shape formed on the object to be inspected based on a spectral reflectance waveform obtained by dispersing the detected zero-order reflected light, thereby inspecting the pattern shape at a high speed and with high sensitivity.

Abstract: Provided are a disk defect inspection method and apparatus. The defect inspection method includes; determining an independent recording density value for disk defect detection in relation to disk drive component factors excepting a disk of the disk drive, and performing a disk defect inspection using the independent recording density value for disk defect detection.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and system for distinguishing spatial and thermal defects on perpendicular media. The magnetic domains of the perpendicular media are oriented to have a first polarity, scanned using a read head, oriented to have a second polarity and scanned again. The signals from the read head are combined to produce output signals having improved signal to noise ratios from which the locations of spatial and thermal defects can be identified and distinguished.

Abstract: If the amount of information recorded on a user data area of a recording medium is less than a predetermined value when a finalize process is performed on the information recorded in the user data area, dummy information is recorded in the recorded area such that the amount of the information is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, and management information for managing the dummy information as a file is recorded in the user data area, thereby realizing interruption of the finalize process in the recording medium and enabling determination of whether or not a disk is a disk on which a finalize process has been interrupted based on only information recorded on the disk.

Abstract: A method of detecting a bad servo track of an HDD includes measuring servo AGC of each of servo sectors of a servo track requiring determination of badness, calculating statistic data with respect to the measured servo AGC of each servo sector, and determining whether the servo track is bad based on the calculated statistic data. Since the badness of a servo track is determined based on the statistic data of the servo AGC, a bad servo track generated due to a change in the overall magnitude of a servo signal is easily detected so that reliability in the detection of a detective servo track can be improved.

Abstract: A write-once read-many information recording medium is provided, which is capable of easily searching for a latest DDS and a latest defect list. At least one disc management working area is sequentially allocated in a predetermined direction on the write-once read-many information recording medium of the present invention. The latest defect list and the latest DDS are provided in a recorded disc management working area neighboring a border between the recorded disc management working area and an unrecorded disc management working area, where the latest defect list precedes the latest DDS in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a method for distinguishing optical discs, which first locks a focus on a data layer of an optical disc to cross the grooves and the lands of the optical disc, then starts testing and counting the time for testing, records a detected RF signal, checks if the time for testing reaches a predetermined time, continues locking the focus on the data layer to test if it has not, finds out the maximum intensity of the detected RF signal among the recorded RF signals, and compares the maximum intensity of the detected RF signal with the parameters regarding formats of optical discs previously stored in order to correctly distinguish the optical disc.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of recording file system information of a write-once high density optical disc and reproducing method thereof, by which the robust file system information can be provided and by which the efficient reproduction of the optical disc is enables using the newly configured file system information. In recording file system information within a write-once optical disc, the present invention includes the step of recording file information of a former session and updated file information of a current session together within a metadata file of the current session or the step of recording updated file information only from file information of a former session within a metadata file of a current session.

Abstract: An optical information medium includes a light-transmitting supporting substrate, an information recording layer on one surface of the supporting substrate, a protective layer on the information recording layer, and a light-transmitting hard coat layer on an other surface of the supporting substrate. The medium is configured to have a recording/reproducing beam incident into the information recording layer through the hard coat later and the supporting substrate.

Abstract: A method of determining the type of disk loaded on an optical disk drive, and an optical disk drive using the method are provided. The disk decision method includes operations of detecting a change in the magnitude of a focus error signal generated during a focus search for a recording layer of a disk closest to an outermost layer of the disk, wherein the change in the magnitude of the focus error signal depends on a change in a recording layer of the disk for which aberration correction is performed, and determining a recording layer architecture of the disk according to the detected change in the magnitude of the focus error signal.

Abstract: A device for recording information writes marks in a track on a record carrier of a re-writable type. The device records the information according to a predefined recording format like DVD for constituting a recording area containing user data preceded by a lead-in zone. The device has a formatting unit (36) for formatting the record carrier. First it is detected if the record carrier has been recorded before. If so, a size is determined of a pre-existing contiguously written area that extends from the beginning of the recording area. The formatting includes writing data on the record carrier indicating that the recording area does not contain user data. Formatting status information is provided on the record carrier indicating the size of the pre-existing contiguously written area.

Abstract: A write-once read-many information recording medium is provided, which is capable of easily searching for a latest DDS and a latest defect list. At least one disc management working area is sequentially allocated in a predetermined direction on the write-once read-many information recording medium of the present invention. The latest defect list and the latest DDS are provided in a recorded disc management working area neighboring a border between the recorded disc management working area and an unrecorded disc management working area, where the latest defect list precedes the latest DDS in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: A method, a device, and a computer-readable medium for simulating a multilayer optical storage medium are disclosed. A multiple-layer optical storage medium is simulated by using a set of multiple single-layer media, wherein the number of multiple single-layer media is equal to or smaller than the number of multiple layers of the multiple layer optical storage medium, and each single layer of the set of multiple single-layer media comprises a copy of the corresponding layer of the multiple-layer medium. This is transparent to any application software accessing a device having such a single-layer medium inserted therein by the drive reporting to the application that a multi-layer optical storage medium has actually been inserted into the device for reading or writing. The device may be comprised in an audio-visual player and/or a recorder such as a DVD recorder.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus which detects concomitant information associated with a time at which data satisfying a preset condition is supplied within a continuous period of time from input data that is temporally continuously input is disclosed.

Abstract: When duplicating the record carrier the angle between the sync words S1 S2 can be preserved at the cost of a change in bit length, or the bit length can be preserved at the expense of changes in the angle between the sync words S1 S2. Consequently a playback device that checks for both changes in the angle between the sync words S1 S2, or between other marks, and for changes in bit length can detect an illegally duplicated record carrier with a high certainty.

Abstract: An optical disc of this invention is configured to be capable of dealing with both information in HD DVD and information in DVD.

Abstract: The present invention aims to simply showing to the user what operations are available with the combination of the disc medium type, the application format of the data recorded/to be recorded on the disc medium, and the information processing apparatus being used by the user. The present invention displays the medium type/the application format type, etc. on the display or the like when the disc medium is loaded/the disc medium is played back/data is recorded on the disc medium/the disc medium is ejected. This improves the user's recognition of the operations, and the comfort thereof.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for retrieving data from rotating media such as an optical disk, and storing that data in an image file or files which contain not only the data but also physical information about the media, including the angular location of each data sector along the rotating media's spiral track. The image file or files can then be copied onto a variety of diverse media, including semiconductor media (RAM, ROM, etc.), a hard disk residing on a computer, optical or magnetic media (CD-ROM, DVD, BD-ROM, HD-DVD, floppies, etc.), and the like.

Abstract: A write-once read-many information recording medium is provided, which is capable of easily searching for a latest DDS and a latest defect list. At least one disc management working area is sequentially allocated in a predetermined direction on the write-once read-many information recording medium of the present invention. The latest defect list and the latest DDS are provided in a recorded disc management working area neighboring a border between the recorded disc management working area and an unrecorded disc management working area, where the latest defect list precedes the latest DDS in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: An optical disc playback apparatus having DTS sound incompatible function is provided, which apparatus is capable of automatically playing back the Dolby sound without selecting the Dolby sound in the menu setting, when an optical disc including the DTS content is played back. When the playback of the optical disc including the DTS content is started, DTS compatibility judging means judges whether or not the setting function of the apparatus is set in the DTS sound compatible state. In the case when the result of judgment indicates the DTS sound incompatible state, Dolby sound selection means carries out a control in such a manner that a Dolby sound is compulsively selected, so that the Dolby sound is output instead of the DTS sound. Accordingly, a user is able to listen a comfortable sound and no operation for selecting the Dolby sound is required as for the type of sound to be listened, thereby enabling the usability to be enhanced in the operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: To enable a physically rewritable disc to be appropriately used as a write-once type. When the rewritable disc is used in rewritable application, the position where writing of a predetermined data unit (for example, an ECC block) in data is started is set to a first position with respect to a reference position to record or play back the data. In contrast, when the rewritable disc is used in write-once application, the position where writing of the predetermined data unit in the data is started is set to a second position different from first position to record or play back the data.

Abstract: A write-once read-many information recording medium is provided, which is capable of easily searching for a latest DDS and a latest defect list. At least one disc management working area is sequentially allocated in a predetermined direction on the write-once read-many information recording medium of the present invention. The latest defect list and the latest DDS are provided in a recorded disc management working area neighboring a border between the recorded disc management working area and an unrecorded disc management working area, where the latest defect list precedes the latest DDS in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: A reproduction system 100 includes a rotating body on which a rotary operation is conducted by a user, a rotary movement detector 810 that detects the rotation of the rotating body and outputs a detection signal in accordance with a rotary condition thereof, and a restricting unit that conducts a restriction processing for restricting the rotation of the rotating body based on the detection signal. Accordingly, different resistance feeling in accordance with the rotary operation on the rotating body is provided to a user, thereby exhibiting excellent operational feeling just like a rotation of a turntable of a record player.

Abstract: An optical disc for storage and retrieval of digital data, and a system and method for protecting the optical disc is disclosed. The optical disc has projections or embossments on one or both major surfaces. When the optical disc is placed on a substantially flat surface such as a tabletop or a desktop, the projections act as pedestals that elevate the optical disc above the flat surface. The resulting gap or clearance helps prevent damage to the optical disc caused by contaminants on the flat surface or by defects in the flat surface. The projections are sized to provide adequate clearance between the disc and the flat surface, while minimizing interference between the projections and components of optical disc readers and drives. One or more projections or projection types may also be configured with a flat surface at a point of contact to an external surface to enhance weight distribution, for example. The projections or projection types that may be configured to enhance aerodynamics.

Abstract: The method and apparatus described utilise the fact that CDs manufactured from the same master will have distinctive physical characteristics attributable to the physical manufacturing process of the master to distinguish counterfeit CDs from genuine discs. For a genuine disc, the relative angular orientation of specified sections of the recorded data are determined and recorded. The relative angular orientation of the same sections of data on a test disc are also determined. Where the relative angular orientations are the same it is concluded that the test disc derives from the same source as the genuine disc and is therefore bona fide. Where there is no correlation, the test disc may be identified as counterfeit. The relative angular orientations, or other physical characteristics of the discs, may be physically measured, or may be calculated from information gained by reading the data on the disc. The disclosed technique can also be used to copy protect discs.

Abstract: Address information is formed by M wobbles (integer M is the number of wobble waves) per bit as a basic unit, and is NRZ-recorded. Also, a sync signal used in sync detection of the address information is formed by N wobbles per bit as a basic unit (integer N is the number of wobble waves and M=2N). The sync signal with such configuration (6 wobbles per bit) is recorded on the head side of the address information (12 wobbles per bit). In this way, even when external noise is large, a modulated wobble signal can be demodulated more accurately.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a storage medium includes a burst cutting area at an inner periphery, wherein the burst cutting area has includes plural burst-cutting-area data areas.

Abstract: In a write-once recording medium, an optimum updating of the management information and a simple matching processing are to be achieved. To this end, in a system of a write-once medium, rendered accessible at random by employing the write/non-write indicating information, the management information, including a space bitmap and the last recording position information (LRA) indicating the last position of the recorded user data, is updated on the disc responsive to the generation or extinction of a gap (unrecorded area) in a region ahead of the LRA. The state of matching between the management information on the disc and the recording state of the user data is confirmed, responsive to the updating of the management information on the disc by the generation or extinction of the gap in the management information, by detecting whether or not the gap in the management information (gap indicated by the space bitmap) or the LRA is coincident with the gap or the LRA on the actual disc.