Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a disk player by which position detection of a disk inserted and discrimination about whether the disk is a large one or a small one can be performed through a simple construction. A circuit board is provided either one side of a pair of detection levers which are rotated to be spread/closed while mutually interlocking with insertion of a disk or a disk guide board to which the detection levers are attached and a contact is provided on the other, and a rotary switch is composed of the circuit board and the contact so that through difference in output signal of the rotary switch, position detection of a disk and discrimination about whether the disk is a large one or a small one are performed.

Abstract: For providing an optical disk driving device that is capable of accurately performing recording and reproduction of even disks that include warpage without the provision of a tilt mechanism, a clamper is comprised of a central clamper portion for pinching and holding a disk between the clamper and a turntable, and an outer clamper portion for abutting against an outer periphery of the disk and pressurizing the same in case the disk includes any warpage to thereby correct the warpage. It is accordingly possible to restrict an angle formed between a light beam and an information surface of the disk to be within a specified value for accurately performing reproduction.

Abstract: The present invention includes 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. Using the present invention, variations in lubricant thickness on the Angstrom scale or less may be measured quickly and nondestructively.

Abstract: An information recording method has; a history determination step for determining whether or not a medium being cased and capable of being used for information recording and reproduction has previously been taken out from the case by using an identification section having historical information as to whether the medium has previously been taken out from the case or not; and a verification step for verifying correctness of information recorded always or on condition that a predetermined condition is satisfied when a result of the determination shows that the medium has previously been taken out from the case.

Abstract: An optical disk has a recording surface which is divided in the radial direction of the optical disk into a plurality of volumes. Each volume consists of a lead-in area, a program area and a lead-out area. Each of the volumes has a recording capacity which is not constant and has absolute position information recorded therein. The absolute position information consists of time information starting from a common initial value. The lead-in area, program area and lead-out area of the respective volumes is adapted to have information of the Compact Disc format recorded therein and adapted to have volume number information corresponding to the volume number thereof recorded in a predetermined position of the area.

Abstract: A disk loading apparatus is provided which stops disks, even if the disks have different diameters, when disk center holes have been ejected to the substantially same positions out of an apparatus body during the ejection. The disks can be pulled out without soiling a recording surface of the disk. One disk-pass detecting switch detects a pass of the last end of each disk and discriminates sizes of the disks. In addition, a rotation time of a roller after the detection of the pass is controlled depending on disk diameters.

Abstract: An information recording medium has: a plurality of audio information which are independent of each other; and a plurality of reproducing control information to be used for reproducing the audio information. Each of the plurality of reproducing control information is assigned to any one of the plurality of audio information. The reproducing control information includes double reproducing control information. The double reproducing control information is assigned to one of the plurality of audio information to which different one of the plurality of reproducing control information has been assigned.

Abstract: An information storing disk including at least one system stream stored thereon. The at least one system stream includes a silent cell for defining a silent period and an audio cell for defining audio data to be reproduced after the silent period. The silent period is a period to be silent, which is from when one system stream to be reproduced among at least one system stream is determined until reproduction of an audio cell included in the one system stream is started.

Abstract: Detection is made of an outermost track on a CD-R medium for which track-descriptive information is not yet recorded in a PMA area and track-specific recording data are already recorded in a program area by a track-at-once scheme. It is then determined whether recording on the outermost track is terminated at the end of a first-type area where a Q subcode INDEX is at a value of 0 or is made up to a second-type area where the Q subcode INDEX is at a value of 1 or greater. If the recording on the outermost track is terminated at the end of the first-type area represented by the Q subcode INDEX value 0, the track-specific recording data are additionally written onto the outermost track starting at the beginning of the second-type following the first-type area and the track-descriptive information for the outermost track is recorded into the PMA area.

Abstract: Reading partly written record carriers by means of a reading device which positions the read head on the basis of written marks presents problems when an information block behind a non-written area must be read. This Application describes a writing device and a method of writing information blocks on a record carrier of a rewritable type such as a CD-RW or a DVD-RAM. First, record carrier areas (21, 22, 23) which are in use are detected for writing information blocks, for example, via the corresponding writing instructions. Subsequently, it is detected whether boundary areas (31, 32, 33) adjoining the areas which are in use are unwritten. In that case, the boundary areas are initialized by writing them with dummy information, preferably with dummy information blocks comprising address information in the conventional manner. Furthermore, the Application discloses a record carrier provided with status information which is indicative of the non-written state of areas.

Abstract: The recording medium of this invention is recorded with a plurality of digital data and a plurality of reproduction path information defining a reproduction order of the plurality of digital data, wherein the plurality of reproduction path information includes first reproduction path information defining a reproduction order of all of the plurality of digital data recorded on the recording medium and second reproduction path information defining a reproduction order of at least one of the plurality of digital data recorded on the recording medium.

Abstract: There is provided a controlling apparatus for a disk data reading unit, comprises control board connected to the disk data reading unit which holds and rotates a disk storing a predetermined information and reads the predetermined information by properly moving an actuator on the disk, and controlling an operation of the disk data reading unit with forming a servo loop, and identifying section receiving a predetermined signal from the disk data reading unit so as to identify a type of the disk data reading unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording data includes a source of digital data arranged into data words having a given number of bits and a converter that converts the data words to code words having one more bit than the given number using a group code recording format. The code words include a binary signal having first and second binary values at a given clock interval determined by a bit rate of the code words. The apparatus also includes a storage disk having a recording surface, a drive member for rotatably driving the disk, a laser having a focused beam, and a control assembly for directing the laser at the recording surface so that the beam accesses one of a plurality of concentric tracks on the recording surface. A circuit assembly provides a driving signal utilized for generating energizing pulses having a duration less than the clock interval when the binary signal has the first binary value.

Abstract: A sound reproducing device that displays character information in languages corresponding to a user's wishes without increasing a burden on the user. The user sets an order of priority of the languages in which the character information is displayed when a CD is reproduced. For example, a code “69” (=Japanese) is set as a first priority. Then, when the CD is reproduced, based on the order of priority set in advance, the character information represented by the language with the highest priority among the character information recorded on the CD is displayed on a LCD (19). By setting the order of priority in advance, there is no longer any need of setting at each reproduction of the CD and the character information is displayed on the LCD (19) in the languages desired by the user.

Abstract: A light source is provided for emitting a light beam. The light beam from the light source is applied to a recording and reproducing plane of an optical disc and to a front surface of a transparent substrate of the optical disc. A photodetector is provided for detecting return light beams from the recording and reproducing plane and the front surface. A first signal is generated based on an output signal of the photodetector dependent on the return light beam from the recording and reproducing plane, and a second signal is generated based on an output signal of the photodetector dependent on the return light beam from the front surface. A signal relating to thickness information on a thickness of the transparent substrate is produced by comparing the first and second signals with each other.

Abstract: An optical-disk formatting apparatus includes an optical disk drive which formats a recordable optical disk by emitting a light beam to the optical disk. A format-data storing unit stores application-specific format data into a storage device. A format-data writing unit writes the application-specific format data, stored in the storage device, to the optical disk by controlling the optical disk drive after the formatting of the optical disk is normally complete.

Abstract: Promotion of effective use in accordance with different types of media, reduction in the load on users, and promotion of diversified use modes by use of media. A plurality of types of recording media (disk media, IC media, and hybrid media) are respectively almost the same in cartridge shape and any of them can be mounted in the recording media mounting part of a drive unit to enable recording or reproduction operations. The drive unit has a recording media mounting part in which the plurality of types of recording media can be respectively mounted, identifies the type of recording media mounted in the recording media mounting part in accordance with an identification feature formed on the cartridge of the recording media, and in accordance with the type of the identified recording media, performs a recording or reproduction operation on the mounted recording media by either or both of disk drive means and IC memory drive means.

Abstract: An optical disc and associated recording/reproducing apparatus is described which creates and reads wobbled tracks on the optical disc. Wobbled tracks are formed in correspondence to a wobble signal which is phase modulated with address information. Phase modulation is used to convert the address information to the wobble signal. The carrier to noise ratio (C/N) of the address information is good, and it is possible to shorten the wobbling amplitude of the tracks while maintaining addressing capabilities. It is thus possible to arrange the track pitch in a high density, and increase the recording capacity of the optical disc.

Abstract: A device for writing to and/or reading from optical recording media having different structures is described, for example, a device which is suitable both for writing to/reading from digital videodisks (DVD) and conventional CD's. Provision is made for measuring the intensity of each peak in the mirror signal while the objective lens is moving to the recording medium. The intensity e.g. at the instant of the positive-negative crossing of the focus error signal is taken in this case. The type of optical recording medium is determined from the time characteristic and/or the height distribution of the peaks. In order to identify the type of optical recording medium, different properties of the optical recording medium are taken into account, such as reflectivity of the corresponding reflective surface, reduced intensity modulation due to spherical aberration, time characteristic and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically identifying the format of a sector in an optical storage device. Information on an optical disc is separated into data and subcode streams. The type of optical data is identified, and a first signal is generated to represent the type. Next, if the type is CD-ROM, the mode is identified, and a second signal is generated to represent the mode. Thirdly, if the mode is Mode-2 CD-ROM, the form is identified, and a third signal is generated to represent the form. A single signal may also be used to represent the type, mode, and form. In a CD embodiment, the type is identified by polling a type indicator bit, the mode is identified by polling the mode indicator bits, and the form is identified by comparing a first set of subheader bytes to a second set of subheader bytes, and polling a form indicator bit.

Abstract: An optical disk having a plurality of substantially concentric tracks, each of which includes a plurality of segments each comprising a servo area ARs provided with servo pits for giving servo information to a disk drive and a data area ARd. Identification marks SGM, ADM, STM1, STM2 are recorded in the servo area ARs. The identification marks SGM, ADM, STM1, STM2 provide information for identifying the respective segments depending on the recording position in the servo area ARs.

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: An editing apparatus divides a data file including main data and management data into a first file and a second before and after a divide position. The divide position is first determined. Then, a recording data block containing the divide position is copied into a data space of the first file. The management information of the first file is edited. Then, the management information for the second file is created and edited.

Abstract: In an optical disk having various information recorded thereon on a frame-by-frame basis, each of the frames being organized in a predetermined format comprising a main channel where data are recorded and a subcode providing additional information including recorded positions of the data, table-of-contents or TOC information for the data recorded in the main channel is contained in the main channel of the optical disk. When a subcode block representing a single unity of information is formed of a plurality of the subcodes belonging to 98 EFM frames, the table-of-contents information is recorded in the main channels of the 98 frames in such a manner that every piece of information needed as the table-of-contents information is fully accommodated in a predetermined data block made up of the data of the main channels belonging to the 98 frames. Thus, there can be provided an optical disk and optical disk reproduction system which permit high-speed readout of the TOC information.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus includes an optical pickup. When an optical disc is mounted, a focus search is carried out for a lens provided on the optical pickup, and the optical disc is discriminated as to its disc type. At this time, an AGC circuit of an RF amplifier is turned off. The reproduced signal from the RF amplifier is compared with a constant voltage. A measurement is made for a time for which an output from the comparator is at a high level. The high level time is compared with a reference time, thereby discriminating the type of the optical disc.

Abstract: On an optical disc, an information record track wobbled in accordance with a wobbling signal is formed and pre-pits are formed at an predetermined interval on a guide track adjacent to the information record track. A pre-pit signal based on the pre-pit is detected by a pre-pit detecting apparatus.

Abstract: An information recording medium has: a plurality of audio information which are independent of each other; and a plurality of reproducing control information to be used for reproducing the audio information. Each of the plurality of reproducing control information is assign to any of the plurality of audio information. The reproducing control information includes double reproducing control information. The double reproducing control information is assigned to one of the plurality of audio information to which different one of the plurality of reproducing control information has been assigned.

Abstract: An illegal disc copying protection system which includes an optical disc with recorded information as a series of pits aligned to a track direction from the optical disc, a recording system which records information as a series of pits aligned to the track direction from the optical disc, and a reading system which reads information being recorded as a series of pits aligned to the track direction from the optical disc.

Abstract: When a detected value of the signal processing speed from a frequency comparator is larger than a prescribed value input from an input terminal, the rotation control of a disk is switched from constant linear velocity control to constant angular velocity control using an error signal from an arithmetic unit. Alternatively, when a detected value of the rotational velocity from a frequency comparator is larger than a prescribed value input form an input terminal, the rotation control of the disk is switched from the constant angular velocity control into the constant linear velocity control.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring a sector map in an optical storage device. Format identification information is used to generate a sector format word. The sector format word is stored in a sector map in buffer memory. Upon receiving a data retrieval request from a host, the sector format word is decoded, and the data field size is adjusted to conform with the format information contained in the decoded sector format word.

Abstract: An optical disc drive which can play back or record and play back different types of optical discs having different reflectances includes a device for receiving light reflected from the loaded optical disc and detecting a quantity of the received light. The device includes circuits for amplifying the obtained signal at a first amplification level and at a second amplification level which is higher than the first amplification level. In order to discriminate a low-reflectance optical disc from a high-reflectance optical disc, the optical disc drive performs a first discriminating step for discriminating the type of the optical disc based on the signal amplified at the first amplification level; a second discriminating step for discriminating the type of the optical disc based on the signal amplified at the second amplification; and a third discriminating step for discriminating the type of the optical disc based on information carried by the optical disc to identify the type of the optical disc.

Abstract: A method of enhanced compression rate for a multi-disc CD player includes the step of determining a last data position on a CD being played by the CD player. The method also includes the steps of determining a last playable data position and whether the last playable data position is being played. The method further includes the steps of storing data in a buffer memory at a compressed rate if the last playable data position is being played and playing the data from the buffer memory while transitioning to a next CD to be played.

Abstract: A WBBM is recorded in a lead-in area of a rewritable disc. The WBBM is a bit map that represents whether each block that is a record/reproduction data unit is a recorded block or a non-recorded block. A finalizing process for recording dummy data in the vicinity of a recorded block is performed so that a read-only disc drive can seek a block and a servo operation of the drive can be stable. At this point, with reference to the WBBM, the efficiency of the process can be improved. When a plurality of WBBMs are ring-structured and the WBBMs are successively updated, the write operation can be prevented from being concentrated to the same area. In addition, a destroyed WBBM due to a power failure or the like can be restored. The value of an update counter represents the latest WBBM.

Abstract: Recording surface of an optical disk is segmented radially into a plurality of volumes each including a lead-in area, program area and lead-out area. In each of the volumes, information indicating presence of a succeeding volume is recorded in a main channel of the program or lead-out area. Dedicated player can receive the information indicating presence of a succeeding volume during reproduction of the first volume and thus is allowed to access the second volume. By contrast, non-dedicated or ordinary CD-ROM players have no capability to read the information indicating presence of a succeeding volume and thus is only allowed to reproduce the first volume without knowing the presence of the succeeding volume.

Abstract: An information recording medium of this invention has a first area which records common information which can be commonly played back by a plurality of types of information playback apparatuses provided by different manufacturers or distributors and complies with common standards, a second area which records specific information which can be played back by only an information playback apparatus of a specific type provided by a specific manufacturer or distributor, and a third area which records link information indicating the links between the common information and specific information.