Abstract: A method of identifying a mechanically readable medium is described. The medium, for instance a gramophone record, a magnetic tape or a celluloid film, contains information which is contained in a continuous sequence on the medium and is intended for optical or acoustic reproduction. A sequence of markings which individualizes the medium, and which can be read out together with the acoustic or optical information, is formed in the area of this acoustic or optical information.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus for detecting a reproduction stop date when reproduction of image data is stopped in the past, and for determining a reproduction start position in the image data on a basis of the reproduction stop date, and further for starting the reproduction of the image data from the determined reproduction start position in response to an instruction of starting reproduction.

Abstract: A method of recording read/write compatibility information on an optical disc. 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: In a case of recording data into an optical disk (100), a disk apparatus (10) rotates the optical disk (100) by a ZCLV system, and in a case of reading out the data from the optical disk, the disk apparatus rotates the optical disk by a ZCAV system. By rotating the optical disk by the ZCLV system, a DSP (28) performs a read of a modified read carried out before recording, and a read of a verification carried out after the recording, and thereby, no occurrence of a change of a rotating speed of the optical disk among the modified read, the recording, and the verification.

Abstract: The amount of light reflected from a disk is detected, and it is determined according to the amount of reflected light whether the disk is a recordable disk or a rewritable disk. The disk is controlled according to the result of determination such that it is rotated at a constant angular velocity (CAV) or at a constant linear velocity (CLV) and recording is executed. Further, rotation driving control of the disk is selected according to factors other than the type of the disk, such as according to whether random recording is allowed or not, according to a recording state in the disk, according to whether an alternative area is provided or not, according to a recording start position, or according to whether initialization is required or not. CLV control or CAV control is appropriately selected for a disk at recording to suppress a reduction in accessibility and a reduction in data transmission rate.

Abstract: A recording medium, such as a high-density and/or read-only recording medium, such as BD-ROM, capable of preventing unauthorized duplication of data streams, written thereon, onto another medium, such as a BD-RE or BD-R, which includes physical mark information, and to methods and apparatuses for forming, recording, reproducing, and restricting playback of the recording medium to prevent unauthorized duplication.

Abstract: Disclosed are an optical recording reproducing apparatus which can effectively remove contamination material attached thereto and an optical recording medium used in the optical recording reproducing apparatus. To this end, the apparatus comprises: a catalyst layer formed at a specific part thereof; and a light irradiation unit for irradiating light on the catalyst layer. An optical disc used in an optical recording reproducing apparatus includes a catalyst layer.

Abstract: A method is designed for controlling a power of a laser beam irradiated onto a track of an optical disc for recording of data at a given linear velocity.

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 disk drive capable of producing the effect of a balancer even in a variety of reproduction and recording speeds without causing problems owing to the balancer, comprising a balancer in which magnetic balls 1 movably accommodated inside a damper 6 cancel any imbalance amount of a disk 5, and a detection section 14 provided near the clamper 6 to detect the behavior of the magnetic balls 1.

Abstract: An adjustment method for optical pick-up including a light source for emitting light beams, an object lens for irradiating light beams onto an optical disc for adjustment and a drive portion for driving the object lens in a direction in parallel to the optical axis of the object lens and in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis thereof, wherein in the state where the light source is movably held with respect to the object lens and the drive portion is movably held with respect to the light source, light beams are irradiated onto an optical disc for adjustment concentrically having recording tracks from the optical pick-up to adjust relative position of the object lens with respect to the light source and inclination of the optical axis of the object lens, and an optical disc for adjustment used in such an adjustment method.

Abstract: An adjustment method for optical pick-up including a light source for emitting light beams, an object lens for irradiating light beams onto an optical disc for adjustment and a drive portion for driving the object lens in a direction in parallel to the optical axis of the object lens and in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis thereof, wherein in the state where the light source is movably held with respect to the object lens and the drive portion is movably held with respect to the light source, light beams are irradiated onto an optical disc for adjustment concentrically having recording tracks from the optical pick-up to adjust relative position of the object lens with respect to the light source and inclination of the optical axis of the object lens, and an optical disc for adjustment used in such an adjustment method.

Abstract: The amount of light reflected from a disk is detected, and it is determined according to the amount of reflected light whether the disk is a recordable disk or a rewritable disk. The disk is controlled according to the result of determination such that it is rotated at a constant angular velocity (CAV) or at a constant linear velocity (CLV) and recording is executed. Further, rotation driving control of the disk is selected according to factors other than the type of the disk, such as according to whether random recording is allowed or not, according to a recording state in the disk, according to whether an alternative area is provided or not, according to a recording start position, or according to whether initialization is required or not. CLV control or CAV control is appropriately selected for a disk at recording to suppress a reduction in accessibility and a reduction in data transmission rate.

Abstract: The amount of light reflected from a disk is detected, and it is determined according to the amount of reflected light whether the disk is a recordable disk or a rewritable disk. The disk is controlled according to the result of determination such that it is rotated at a constant angular velocity (CAV) or at a constant linear velocity (CLV) and recording is executed. Further, rotation driving control of the disk is selected according to factors other than the type of the disk, such as according to whether random recording is allowed or not, according to a recording state in the disk, according to whether an alternative area is provided or not, according to a recording start position, or according to whether initialization is required or not. CLV control or CAV control is appropriately selected for a disk at recording to suppress a reduction in accessibility and a reduction in data transmission rate.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus which is compatible with a compact disc (CD) and a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) has a configuration of an optical pickup which performs a scanning operation in a focus-on and track-off state to read signals from an optical disc; an RF amplifier which, on the basis of the read signals, produces binary track-cross signals and binary mirror signals; a first edge counter which counts the number of the binary track-cross signals; a second edge counter which counts the number of the binary mirror signals; and a central processing unit (CPU) which discriminates between a CD or a DVD on the basis of a ratio between the number of the binary track-cross signals and the number of the binary mirror signals.

Abstract: A disk recording/reproduction device ideal for processing audio-visual data streams requiring real-time characteristics. A disk device has an operating mode ideal for recording and reproduction of motion image and audio data requiring real-time continuity by limiting the time needed for error processing, and the host incorporating the disk device can easily monitor the real-time continuity. The host can specify the urgency of individual recording and reproduction instructions to the disk so that control of real-time continuity can be actively implemented in better detail. A means for assigning a total number to a plurality of simultaneously recorded or reproduced data streams as well assigning individual data stream numbers allows informing the disk device of the throughput required by the host.

Abstract: In use of an optical disk such as a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) it is sometimes desirable to detect if a track jump occurs as quickly as possible after the occurrence. The optical disk format includes a pre-groove track structure which provides the frame work upon which data can be written to and read from the disk. The structure of the pre-groove track is utilized to detect the possible occurrence of an inadvertent track jump as soon as possible and in a time shorter than would be required to detect the track jump using only disk addressing data. The pre-groove track structure may be modified to enhance track jump detection, such as by positional codes in data line Segments of the track, or revolving coding schemes for the addressing data dibits.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus for recording digital information inputted from outside onto an information storage medium, includes: a multiplexing unit for multiplexing the digital information by a plurality of window functions to generate a plurality of multiplied digital information, each of the plurality of window functions having a fade-out time-axis characteristic and having overlaps with neighboring window functions on time axis; a recording unit for recording the plurality of multiplied digital information corresponding to the respective window functions; an ending unit for changing ending multiplexed digital information which are the multiplied digital information corresponding to the window function including a recording end timing of the digital information to zero information, and for ending recording the digital information after recording the zero information onto the information storage medium in place of the ending multiplexed digital information.

Abstract: A drive controller is capable of reading information from an optically encoded disk. The drive controller is made to attempt a first read operation from a first area of the optically encoded disk to generate a first data set. If the first read operation is successful, the drive controller then verifies that the first data set conforms to a first data format. A media type descriptor is obtained from the first data set if the first data set conforms to the first data format. A media type descriptor is obtained from a second data set read from a second area of the optically encoded disk if the first data set does not conform to the first data format, or if the first read operation is not successful.

Abstract: The present invention relates to control of the reproduction speed of a recording medium on which data are recorded, and provides a data reproduction apparatus and a data reproduction method which are able to control the data reproduction speed according to the reproduction frequencies of different data to suppress power consumption and heat generation. When data of the CD-ROM standard or the like, which are temporarily stored in a processing part or the like, are reproduced after data of the CD-DA standard or the like, which are to be sequentially converted and outputted, are reproduced at a first reproduction speed, the reproduction is performed at a third reproduction speed that is lower than the highest second reproduction speed and higher than the first reproduction speed.

Abstract: In a disk device, when processing is resumed after replacing the disk or cutting off the power supply, in order to acquire disk-related information in a short period of time and reduce the start-up time, the effectiveness of management information recorded on the disk is judged, the finding of the judgment is stored into a memory means capable of storing even when power supply is off, the management information is read out of some of the recording areas of the disk in advance of a recording or reproducing operation if the stored information on the finding of the judgment indicates effectiveness for the inserted disk.

Abstract: A disk recording/reproduction device ideal for processing audio-visual data streams requiring real-time characteristics. A disk device has an operating mode ideal for recording and reproduction of motion image and audio data requiring real-time continuity by limiting the time needed for error processing, and the host incorporating the disk device can easily monitor the real-time continuity. The host can specify the urgency of individual recording and reproduction instructions to the disk so that control of real-time continuity can be actively implemented in better detail. A means for assigning a total number to a plurality of simultaneously recorded or reproduced data streams as well assigning individual data stream numbers allows informing the disk device of the throughput required by the host.

Abstract: To enable a plurality of types of optical discs different in recording density from each other and quickly getting “ready” for writing and/or reading data to and/or from each of such optical discs, various controlling conditions requisite for the data writing and reading operations are stored in a memory for both optical discs having first and second recording densities, respectively. For a shorter time up to a “ready” state for data write or read, a controller makes an instant discrimination, based on the pattern of a sync signal “SYNC” included in an ATIP wobble signal supplied from an ATIP decoder, between the optical disc having the first recording density and that having the second recording density, reads, from the memory, controlling conditions corresponding to the result of the disc type discrimination, and sets operating parameters for each component of the optical disc drive.

Abstract: A unique recording medium having identification information such as a serial number or ID number inherent in the recording media as information signals recorded thereon, which is prevented from being easily erased or rewritten, without inducing the complexity of an optical disc reproducing apparatus in its configuration and the intricacy of the reading-out operation is realized. Recognition information is recorded to a recording medium which has a recognition information recording area for recording the recognition information, and at least the recognition information recording area is capable of additionally having information recorded thereto. In recording digitized recognition information to the recognition information recording area, the “1” is modulated to a signal having a first frequency and the “0” is modulated to a signal having a second frequency, and the signals corresponding to their respective frequencies are written to the recognition information recording area.

Abstract: A disk recording/reproduction device ideal for processing audio-visual data streams requiring real-time characteristics. A disk device has an operating mode ideal for recording and reproduction of motion image and audio data requiring real-time continuity by limiting the time needed for error processing, and the host incorporating the disk device can easily monitor the real-time continuity. The host can specify the urgency of individual recording and reproduction instructions to the disk so that control of real-time continuity can be actively implemented in better detail. A means for assigning a total number to a plurality of simultaneously recorded or reproduced data streams as well assigning individual data stream numbers allows informing the disk device of the throughput required by the host.

Abstract: An information recording at a high density to an information recording medium and a proper reproduction of information which has been recorded on the information recording medium at a high density are realized. Optical characteristics of an information recording medium are measured and information regarding the measured optical characteristics is previously recorded in a proper area on the information recording medium. When an information recording system records information to the information recording medium on which the information regarding the optical characteristics has been recorded, the information regarding the optical characteristics is read and a proper information recording state is adjusted on the basis of the information regarding the optical characteristics, thereby allowing the information recording to be performed.

Abstract: In a reproducing apparatus of the present invention, an input audio signal is divided into bands and an envelope value of each band is measured. Based on a change of the envelope value, a predetermined sound source is superimposed. Further, according to the envelope value of a reproduced audio signal, a tempo of reproduced music is detected and animation representation is changed in synchronism with the detected tempo. Further, a rhythm box is reproduced in synchronism with the detected tempo and a sound field is automatically selected corresponding to the detected tempo to perform synthesization.

Abstract: A signal recorder/reproducer comprising an integrated buffer memory 22 having a memory area for a recording system and a memory area for a reproduction system, the allocation of the memory areas being variable, and a system controller 5 to control, via a recording control signal input unit 2 or reproduction control signal input unit 4, the allocation of the memory areas in the integrated buffer memory 22 depending upon which is designated by the user, a recording or reproduction mode.

Abstract: A signal recorder/reproducer comprising an integrated buffer memory 22 having a memory area for a recording system and a memory area for a reproduction system, the allocation of the memory areas being variable, and a system controller 5 to control, via a recording control signal input unit 2 or reproduction control signal input unit 4, the allocation of the memory areas in the integrated buffer memory 22 depending upon which is designated by the user, a recording or reproduction mode.

Abstract: The invention provides a recording apparatus for recording a signal such onto a recording medium by which a long recordable time for the recording medium can be assured. The recording apparatus includes a recording section for recording a signal onto a recording medium in accordance with one of recording modes selected from within a plurality of recording modes, a signal discrimination section for discriminating a signal state of the signal, and a changeover control section for changing over the recording mode of the recording section in response to a result of the discrimination by the signal discrimination section.

Abstract: An optical recording/reproducing apparatus capable of using disc cartridges of at least two different sizes and/or a naked disc, on only one tray. The optical recording/reproducing apparatus is also capable of recording and/or reproducing information on/from one of the discs mounted on the tray by automatically detecting the disc cartridges and/or the naked disc positioned on the tray.

Abstract: Disclosed is a servo gain compensating method for compensating a servo gain when in a seek operation and in a positioning process in an information storage device. The servo gain compensating method and a device thereof make compensation to a precise servo gain even when a temperature changes abruptly. The information storage device includes a head for reading information from a storage medium, an actuator for moving the head, a control circuit for calculating a drive quantity compensated by the servo gain value from positional information read by the head, and a driving circuit for driving the actuator on the basis of the drive quantity.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information on and/or from a magneto-optical disk including an optical head for projecting a laser beam onto a magneto-optical disk and receiving the laser beam reflected by the disk, an up-down block arranged movably between a lower position and an upper position, an up-down motor for moving said up-down block up and down, a turntable for supporting the disk and a spindle motor secured to said up-down block and having a driving shaft coupled with said turntable for rotating the turntable, a position detecting device for detecting a position of said up-down block to derive a position signal when the up-down block is driven into the upper position, a rotation detecting device for detecting a rotation of said optical information record disk to derive a rotation signal when the optical information record disk is rotated at a predetermined revolving speed, and a control device for initiating a focus control for moving said objective lens and turntable relative to each

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus for reproducing information from plural types of information carriers or for recording information to plural types of information carriers, has two or more light sources with different wavelengths, a converging part for converging a light beam emitted from each of the light sources on said information carrier, a movement part for moving the converged spot of the light beam converged by the converging part in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the information carrier, a convergence condition detection part for outputting a signal corresponding to the convergence condition of the light beam on the information carrier, an amplitude detection part for measuring the amplitude of the signal of the convergence condition detection part, and a focus control part for driving the movement part in accordance with the output signal of the convergence condition detection part and for performing control so that the convergence condition of the light beam on the information ca

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 reproducing apparatus and method are provided in accordance with the invention. The apparatus includes a reader for reading out data from a recording medium, a controller for controlling the position of the reader, and a determiner for determining a number of tracks the controller is to move the reader. The apparatus also includes a comparator, which compares whether the determined number of tracks is less than a predetermined number of tracks in which each of the tracks has an essentially equal number of sectors therein. If so, the controller moves the position of the reader in accordance with the equation Tj=|St−Sc|/Sn wherein Tj is the number of tracks said reading means is to move, St is the address of the target sector to be read out next, Sc is the address of the current sector, and Sn is the essentially equal number of sectors in a track. A method utilizing the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A data recording and reproducing method for an optical disk data storage system to record data compressed at different data compression rate according to an operator's specification, and to reproduce the recorded data by decompressing. According to the operator's indication, the data is recorded at certain data compression rate in indicated area. The information of the data compression rate and the recorded area is stored as a total of contents (TOC) data. The TOC data is reproduced and stored in a memory after the optical disk is loaded. The recorded data is reproduced by selecting a decoding circuit to decompress the data. The decoding circuit is selected by referring the TOC data to identify data compression rate of the recorded data. Also the TOC data is referred to identify read-in and read-out region of the recorded data. The position of a pick-up when the data recording is started and ended, is recorded as the TOC data to provide random access capability for the data reproduction.