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

Abstract: In an image-recording device using a disk-type recording medium generated under the DVD+RW standard, a disk information-acquisition unit 250 acquires information about a disk 49, a disk-determination unit 260 determines that the disk 49 is a subject disk that is of a DVD+RW type and that stores video data generated by using a DVD menu and/or still-image data recorded onto the disk, an additional recording-control unit 220 controls additional recording performed for the disk 49 according to a result of the determination performed by the disk-determination unit 260, and a message display-control unit 270 makes a display unit 280 show a confirmation message used for shifting to a mode relating to the pros and cons of performing the additional recording and/or a message adapted to confirm that the DVD menu and the video data are updated, so that a mismatch which may occur between the DVD menu and/or the video data, and recorded image data is reduced.

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: Audio information stored in the undulations of grooves in a medium such as a phonograph record may be reconstructed, with little or no contact, by measuring the groove shape using precision metrology methods coupled with digital image processing and numerical analysis. The effects of damage, wear, and contamination may be compensated, in many cases, through image processing and analysis methods. The speed and data handling capacity of available computing hardware make this approach practical. Two examples used a general purpose optical metrology system to study a 50 year old 78 r.p.m. phonograph record and a commercial confocal scanning probe to study a 1920's celluloid Edison cylinder. Comparisons are presented with stylus playback of the samples and with a digitally re-mastered version of an original magnetic recording. There is also a more extensive implementation of this approach, with dedicated hardware and software.

Abstract: An information recording method records information to a multilayer recording medium in which a number of record layers are laminated and recording of information to each record layer is possible. When an amount of the information being recorded to the medium does not exceed a maximum amount of information which can be recorded to the medium, the information being recorded to the medium is divided into data blocks by the number of the record layers. The data blocks are recorded to data areas of the respective record layers so that the recording areas of the record layers where the data blocks are recorded are overlapped each other with respect to a thickness direction of the medium.

Abstract: A media-detection system for a cartridge-receiving device may comprise, according to one embodiment, a cartridge-referencing member mounted to the cartridge-receiving device. The cartridge-referencing member is resiliently displaceable by a data cartridge received in the cartridge-receiving device. A sensor is operatively associated with the cartridge-referencing member. The sensor detecting the data cartridge in the cartridge-receiving device based on the displacement of the cartridge-referencing member.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing the original groove configuration of a phonograph record. The methodology comprises providing an instrument for measuring the entire groove of a phonograph with an instrument in communication with a computer. The computer reconstructs the original groove configuration, using data from the measurements of the record groove. Various instrument embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for inspecting a recording medium, for thereby detecting a defect in the recording medium, in which the apparatus includes inspection subjects made up of first to fourth recording media on which audio signals having a constant frequency are recorded. The apparatus further includes first to fourth non-defective drives for reading out signals from the first to fourth recording media and for outputting signals therefrom, a detector for detecting the audio signals from among the signals output from the first to fourth drives, and a determining means for determining that the first to fourth recording media are defective when the audio signals output from the detector deviate from the constant frequency.

Abstract: A readable and writable radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is attached to a physical medium such as a CDROM or DVD. Each time a copy of the medium is created, a variable or count stored in the writable RFID is updated. In cases where the mechanism for reading and writing the RFID is in communication with the device making a copy of the medium, the created copy can have its permitted number of copies set to zero, or other restrictions put in place. Or the device can be prevented from making any copies. In this manner the total number of copies of an original product can be regulated. The RFID can be read or written from a mechanism in a CDROM or DVD player or the read/write mechanism can be in a different device such as in a computer, or in another device.

Abstract: A method of reproducing an audio file includes: reading an extension information of the audio file, the extension information of the audio file being separated but associated with audio data of the audio file; establishing a reproducing mode for reproducing the audio file based on the extension information; obtaining at least a part of the audio file under the established reproducing mode; and determining whether the audio file is reproducible under the established reproducing mode by checking whether the part of the audio file constructs a specific format stream corresponding to the established reproducing mode.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus and method having a pick-up part for emitting a light onto a recording surface of an optical disk and receiving the light reflected from the recording surface of optical disk and a driving part for controlling the pick-up part. The apparatus and method comprise an error detection part for detecting a tracking error based on a distribution of the received and reflected light, when the pick-up part traces vertical movement of the optical-disk according to control of the driving part; a capacity calculation part for calculating capacity of an optical-disk corresponding to the calculated tracking error size; and a tracking control part for resetting a control method of the driving part for the pick-up part to trace a track of the optical-disk based on the calculated capacity. As such, the track of an optical disk may be minutely traced.

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

Abstract: A method for measuring a surface structure of a near-field object is provided. A light source produces at least a first light beam and a second light beam; guiding the first light beam and the second light beam to enter the SIL for interacting with the object surface. This method can be used in, for example, a near-field optical disc storage system, wherein reflection intensities of the first and second light beams are used to measure two distances between the SIL and the optical disc at two positions corresponding to the first and second light beams. A surface structure, such as a tilt angle or an average distance between the disc and the SIL or disc roughness, is obtained by analyzing the above-mentioned positions and distances. The first and second light beams are produced, for example, by a diffraction technology or by a single laser diode with multiple beams.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus comprises a reception unit configured to receive image signals, a stream generation unit configured to generate a stream formed by continuously arranging a plurality of pieces of VOBU adhering to a DVD-VR standard from the image signals received by the reception unit, a management information generation unit configured to generate management information of the stream generated by the stream generation unit, a control unit configured to arrange part of the management information generated by the management information generation unit in reserve areas in a plurality of pieces of VOBU constituting the stream respectively, and a recording unit configured to record the stream in which part of the management information is arranged by the control unit and the management information in a recording medium.

Abstract: A disk reproducing apparatus comprises a disk reproducing unit configured to reproduce a disk having a recording management area in which an RZone having navigation data is allocated at a head thereof, a plurality of titles are then recorded in a mode in which there is allocated an RZone having presentation data managed by the navigation data, and position information on the RZone is recorded, and a reproduction control unit configured to store position information on the RZone having the navigation data as information indicating a start position of the title and to use the stored information as a title reproduction start position.

Abstract: In a method of recording real-time information on an information carrier, e.g. audio on an optical disc, the real-time information is compressed to units comprising a variable amount of compressed data, and playback parameters are determined in dependence of the compressed data. The playback parameters comprise an access list (Main_Acc_List) having entries, each subsequent entry being assigned to a subsequent interval of a fixed playback time and comprising a pointer (Entry[N]) to a unit within said interval. In a player the real-time information may be accessed at a selected point of playing time. The corresponding entry in the access list is determined by dividing the selected time by the interval. The entry provides the pointer (Entry[N]) to the unit corresponding to the selected playing time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus of determining a recording location of a high-density recording medium. The present method determines a targeted recording location on a high-density rewritable or read-only recording medium based on successively-detected frame syncs or their combination that includes at least one frame sync written after the targeted recording location.

Abstract: The present invention provides simple finalizing that is quicker to be done. To ensure that the finalized recording medium can be replayed by any type of playback apparatus, the invention includes means for additional finalizing that makes the medium the same as processed by normal finalizing.

Abstract: A testing method for an optical information medium using an artificial fingerprint. The artificial fingerprint is made of an artificial fingerprint liquid comprising a fine-particle-form substance and a dispersion medium capable of dispersing the fine-particle-form substance.

Abstract: A simple method for evaluating an optical information medium by judging quantitatively and reproducibly the surface quality of the optical information medium by the use of an artificial fingerprint liquid as an evaluation dispersion liquid, is provided. An optical information medium having a remarkably excellent anti-staining property of the surface which is on the incident side of recording/reproducing beam is provided. A method for evaluating an optical information medium, comprising: adhering an artificial fingerprint liquid containing a fine-particle-form substance and a dispersion medium capable of dispersing the fine-particle-form substance onto the surface of the optical information medium which is on the incident side of a recording/reproducing beam; observing the state of the artificial fingerprint liquid droplets adhered to the surface; and judging the quality of the medium surface.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method of operating a multi-changer of an optical disc player which restricts an initial operation of the multi-changer of the optical disc by referring to a disc chucking and tray open/close states. According to the method, it is determined whether a type of a disc, which is currently mounted in the disc mounting unit, has been determined before, if a tray open or close key is inputted. If it is determined that the type of the disc has not been determined before, the tray is opened or closed. Then, if the tray is closed, the type of the disc is determined after chucking the disc which is currently mounted in the disc mounting unit. According to the method, it is possible to stabilize a player by restricting an initiating operation of the multi-changer of the optical disc, which occurs needlessly due to a tray open/close key, when a disc is not yet chucked.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical disk barcode forming method wherein, as information to be barcoded, position information for piracy prevention, which is a form of ID, is coded as a barcode and is recorded by laser trimming on a reflective film in a PCA area of an optical disk. When playing back the thus manufactured optical disk on a reproduction apparatus, the barcode data can be played back using the same optical pickup.

Abstract: A multisession compatible disk player including: a multisession decision portion (6) that decides whether a disk has plural sessions based on session format information recorded in a lead-in area of a first session on the disk; a disk format decision portion (10) that decides whether the disk is a read-only disk based on disk format information recorded in the lead-in area of the first session on the disk; a disk type decision portion (7) that decides the type of the disk based on the results of decision by the multisession decision portion and the disk format decision portion; and a control portion (9) that controls the playback of the disk based on the result of decision by the disk type decision portion.

Abstract: In an information recording device and method, user data are recorded in a recording medium having two or more recording layers and having a data area in which user data is recordable for each recording layer. A closing command is received after recording of user data in the data area of the recording medium is performed in response to a user-data write request. A minimum amount of lead-out data are written to the recording medium following an end position of the recorded user data in the data area of the recording medium, based on the received closing command.

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

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

Abstract: A readable and writable radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is attached to a physical medium such as a CDROM or DVD. Each time a copy of the medium is created, a variable or count stored in the writable RFID is updated. In cases where the mechanism for reading and writing the RFID is in communication with the device making a copy of the medium, the created copy can have its permitted number of copies set to zero, or other restrictions put in place. Or the device can be prevented from making any copies. In this manner the total number of copies of an original product can be regulated. The RFID can be read or written from a mechanism in a CDROM or DVD player or the read/write mechanism can be in a different device such as in a computer, or in another device.

Abstract: An optical recording medium comprises a plurality of identifiers in association with address information, wherein: each identifier is provided on the optical recording medium; and each identifier comprises at least one of: a first pattern provided on the optical recording medium and representing a first code expressed by one bit; a second pattern provided on the optical recording medium and representing a second code expressed by one bit; and a third pattern provided on the optical recording medium and representing a third code expressed by one bit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of reading and writing data from and to a data storage device is provided. One method of practicing the present invention comprises placing, or leaving an unused track, row or column adjacent to a medium track containing apparatus information. Another method of practicing the present invention comprises placing, or leaving an unused track, row or column adjacent to both sides of the medium track containing the apparatus information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for recording new data in a writable disk such as a once-writable disk CD-R and a rewritable disk CD-RW after previous recording to the disk is interrupted abnormally. A method of determining a recordable position of a writable disk according to the present invention, reads data recording information of the writable disk, examines whether or not an area after a recordable position indicated by the read data recording information has recorded data, and changes the recordable position to another position for new input data if the area has recorded data. Therefore, new data is always written after any uncompleted data track without being written over previously recorded data even if the recording information of an uncompleted data track is wrong or unusable.

Abstract: The optical disk player of the present invention is capable of controlling rotational speed of an optical disk, on the basis of a shape of the optical disk, so as to stably and efficiently write data in and read data from the optical disk. The optical disk player comprises: a motor for rotating the optical disk; and an optical pickup for irradiating a laser beam to the optical disk and receiving a reflected beam reflected therefrom. A CPU analyzes signals included in the reflected beam so as to recognize a shape of the optical disk. A servo processor controls rotational speed of the optical disk on the basis of the shape of the optical disk recognized by the CPU.

Abstract: An optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus detects last position information of already recorded data and information of initial data recordable capacity of an optical disc that is in a state of no further writing by a recording completion process, a calculating device that calculates data recordable capacity of a free space in accordance with the last position information of already recorded data and the information of initial data recordable capacity of the optical disc and records data in the free space after the last position of already recorded data. The optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus scans the area after the last position of the already recorded data, and when the recorded data is found in the area, the data recorded after the last position is read. Data can be recorded to or reproduced from a free space of the optical disc to which the finalizing process has been executed.

Abstract: An audio recording medium, methods for recording data on and reproducing data from the audio recording medium, and recording and reproducing apparatuses therefor. In the audio recording medium, audio data are recorded in a plurality of tracks in predetermined write units, and identification data for indicating the start position of each of the tracks, such as mute data, are recorded in write units segregated from the predetermined write units of the audio data. Thus, if a mute period is unnecessary, the mute data can be easily removed.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed wherein a write command is verified according to a rotational position optimization (RPO) algorithm rather than immediately after the write command to better optimize drive performance relative to mechanical latencies.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed which links disk commands that access near sequential data sectors. The linked and non-linked disk commands are inserted into an input/output queue and selected for execution according to a rotational position optimization (RPO) algorithm. If an error occurs while executing a linked disk command, the disk commands are unlinked and at least one of the unlinked disk commands is executed. The residual unlinked disk commands are inserted back into the input/output queue for later execution in an order determined by the RPO algorithm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus accurately measuring the amount of unbalance of a disc, based on the time to reach a target RPM (Rotation Per Minute) regardless of an assembly condition of a disc drive. The method includes: storing a plurality of reference disc unbalance values; measuring an RPM (Rotation Per Minute) of the disc; comparing the measured RPM with a target RPM; and when the measured RPM reaches the target RPM, detecting a reference disc unbalance value among the plurality of reference disc unbalance values based on an elapsed time to reach the target RPM. Accordingly, the amount of disc imbalance of the disc can be constantly measured regardless of an assembly condition of the disc drive and the computer.

Abstract: A method for reconstruction the original groove configuration of a phonograph record. The methodology comprises providing an instrument for making measurements of the geometry of a groove of a phonograph record with the instrument in communication with a computer and the computer executing a reconstructive analysis code thereby reconstruct the groove geometry of the phonograph record using data obtained from the measurements of the geometry of the groove.

Abstract: A device for reading or writing on optical recording media with disk type recognition capability has an optical scanning device and a focus regulating circuit. The object of the invention is to provide a device of this type which can reliably recognize in a short time the type of the recording medium inserted into the device. Another object of the invention is to provide a corresponding process. These objects are attained in that the disk type recognition capability includes a mirror signal generator, a threshold value generator, a counter and an evaluation unit. The process is based on the utilization of a mirror-signal value of the device for disk type recognition.

Abstract: Film forming areas for recording main information are formed on surfaces on which two substrates (11a, 11b) are adhered to an adhesive layer (3). An inner-circumference portion (18) adjacent to the film forming area as a main-information area (12a, 12b) of the substrate has an individual recognizing area (4a) for read only on an optical disk (10), to which identification information for uniquely recognizing the optical disk is recorded. The identification information is formed by recording a pattern having a predetermined difference in tint to the individual recognizing area on the optical disk by printing, before adhering the two substrates to the adhesive layer. The individual recognizing area on the optical disk may be provided at an outer-circumference portion adjacent to the film forming area as the main-information area on the substrate.

Abstract: In order to provide an optical disk of a small radius suitably used in recording/reproducing data at a high density and an optical disk apparatus capable of according/reproducing information into/from such an optical disk, the optical disk of the present invention uses both the grooves and lands as recording tracks. each recording track is divided into a plurality of sectors each including an address segments ASG 0 and ASG 1, and data segments DSG 0-DSG 52. The address segment 0 (ASG 0) and address segment 1 (ASG 1) respectively have wobbled areas in the opposite side walls, by which the address information is recorded. The data segments are non-wobbled DC grooves. Further, each segment is provided with a clock mark.

Abstract: Capacitive film thickness measurement devices and measurement systems used in machines or instruments. A capacitance measurement device and technique useful in determining lubricant film thickness on substrates such as magnetic thin-film rigid disks. Variations in lubricant thickness on the Angstrom scale or less may be measured quickly and nondestructively.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed wherein if a write command is aborted, the write command is re-executed according to a rotational position optimization (RPO) algorithm rather than immediately re-executing the write command to better optimize drive performance relative to mechanical latencies. An aborted write command is replaced into an input/output queue together with other pending commands. The aborted write command is eventually re-selected for execution by the RPO algorithm when executing the write command minimizes mechanical latencies relative to the other pending commands.

Abstract: A multi-level information recording-reproducing apparatus can accurately determine multi-level information even if recording density is increased. A multi-level information recording-reproducing apparatus radiates a laser beam to an information recording medium by switching a radiation energy level of the laser beam in a multi-level fashion and records a recorded mark in the information recording medium. The multi-level information recording-reproducing apparatus reproduces a multi-level data sequence recorded as a test pattern in the information recording medium, sets a reproduction signal level of a recorded mark based on an immediately-before cell located immediately before a cell to be reproduced, and corrects the radiation energy level of the laser beam so that the reproduction signal level can have a separate distribution from a distribution of another reproduction signal level.

Abstract: In an information access device, an information access method and an information storage medium access system which are suited to quickly and reliably detect a deviation in frame management associated with erroneous detection of a synchronous mark and to perform an operation of redetecting a synchronous mark, an Even synchronous mark erroneous detector outputs a count-up signal if a synchronous mark LSY from an LPP pattern comparing portion is “111” when an Even/Odd identification signal from a frame counter assumes 1. An Odd synchronous mark erroneous detector outputs a count-up signal if the synchronous mark LSY is “110” when the Even/Odd identification signal assumes 0. An erroneous detection counter counts the number of the outputted count-up signals, which is compared with a count value set by a redetection level portion in a comparator. Then a redetection instruction signal for redetecting an LPP access synchronous mark is outputted.

Abstract: A voice file consists of a plurality of data blocks. Each data block is composed of a plurality of sectors. Playback time information on voice data recorded in the sector is stored in the sector header. A control device creates a management file having the playback time for each block recorded therein from the information on this sector header, and stores it in a RAM or storage medium. When an arbitrary playback time is specified by an input device, which of the data blocks having the specified playback time positioned therein is retrieved by referring to this management file. Then, the playback times of voice data in sectors are calculated sequentially from the first sector of the data block. A sector in which a sum between the calculated playback time and a playback time up to a data block immediately preceding the retrieved data block is coincident with the specified playback time is retrieved, and access to the sector is provided.

Abstract: In a method of recording real-time information on an information carrier, e.g. audio on an optical disc, the real-time information is compressed to units comprising a variable amount of compressed data, and playback parameters are determined in dependence of the compressed data. The playback parameters comprise an access list (Main_Acc_List) having entries, each subsequent entry being assigned to a subsequent interval of a fixed playback time and comprising a pointer (Entry[N]) to a unit within said interval. In a player the real-time information may be accessed at a selected point of playing time. The corresponding entry in the access list is determined by dividing the selected time by the interval. The entry provides the pointer (Entry[N]) to the unit corresponding to the selected playing time.

Abstract: Write-once read-many disks have a directory for file management in every session and files existing in other sessions can be managed in this directory. For write-once read-many disks for music use, however, there is no directory for file management and it has been impossible to access a session and reproduce music in other session. The present invention enables music CDs to take full advantage of multisession recording and realizes multisession-formatted music CDs wherein TOCs (Table of Contents) are recorded in the lead-in areas of the multiple sessions, each TOC in which the information for managing pieces of music (tracks) in other sessions has been registered.

Abstract: An optical disc for recording data and having a recording area subdivided into coaxial annular zones with circular or spiral tracks. Each track within one of the zones is arranged for storing a same predetermined amount of data, and the first track of each zone stores an amount of data proportional to the radial position, resulting on average in a substantially constant density, the so called CLV (Constant Linear Velocity) density. The tracks include periodic characteristics, e.g. a wobble, which are radially aligned within each one of the zones, the periodicity indicating the track recording density for the track concerned. Hence, the data recording and reading speed can be synchronized to the periodic characteristics, whereas any cross-talk of the periodic characteristics of neighboring tracks is avoided.

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

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