Abstract: An information recording method performing recording on an information recording medium having multiple rewritable recording layers each having a data area in which user data is to be recorded is disclosed. The method includes a recorded area presence or absence determination step that determines whether a recorded area exists in at least the data area of a first recording layer; and a corresponding unrecorded area data filling step that, if the recorded area exists in the first recording layer, records predetermined data in an unrecorded area in an area, corresponding to the same radial position as the recorded area, in a second recording layer except the first recording layer at a predetermined timing before completion of the recording on the information recording medium.

Abstract: This invention relates to a reproduced signal evaluation method of evaluating a reproduced signal reproduced from an information recording medium in which information composed of a plurality of codes differing in length is recorded and evaluates the reproduced signal on the basis of the reproduced signal of the next shortest code after the shortest code reproduced from the information recording medium.

Abstract: A recording medium comprising a recording area, the recording area includes a first area and a second area, the first area includes a frame area, the frame area includes an area in which a second synchronization code sequence and at least a portion of data are to be recorded, and the second area includes an area in which a third synchronization code sequence and a fourth synchronization code sequence are to be recorded.

Abstract: An optical disc player discriminates an attribution 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: The present invention relates to a disk recording medium such as a CD or a DVD in which data is recorded in high-density, and method and apparatus for reproducing data recorded in the high-density disk recording medium. The data reproducing method and apparatus according to the present invention converts a high-frequency signal reproduced from the disk into a plurality of binary signals through comparing the reproduced signal with two or more slicing levels which are different each other, selects one of the plurality of binary signals or a periodic pulse signal based on the difference magnitude between the plurality of binary signals, synchronizes a reference clock with the selected signal, and restores the selected signal into bit stream using the synchronized reference clock.

Abstract: A recording method for embedding in a record medium many types of management information corresponding to many types of record media as additional information added to content data that is recorded on the record medium, performing a first encoding process for the content data to which the additional information has been embedded, performing a second encoding process for the many types of management information; and modulating the content data of which the first encoding process has been performed and the many types of management information of which the second encode process has been performed.

Abstract: A laser beam recording system for exposing a photoresist master disc having a photoresist layer formed over a substrate for making a hybrid optical recording disc having a read only (ROM) portion and a writable portion, including a first optical modulator for modulating an intensity of a first laser beam having a wavelength selected to provide activating radiation to expose a pattern in the photoresist layer formed over the substrate of the master disc between a lower intensity for exposing a groove in the photoresist layer and a higher intensity for exposing the groove and a pattern of depressions in the groove in the photoresist layer; and a second optical modulator for frequency-modulating an intensity-modulated second laser beam with a wobble-frequency to cause the exposed groove to be a continuously frequency-modulated groove.

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 playback apparatus includes a data source (1) that provides a data stream signal (d0), and a device (2) responsive to the data stream signal. The device forms a first data stream (d1) in a first data format (F1), wherein the first data stream (d1) includes a data field (D1) that is encoded in a second data format (F2). A code converter (3) is responsive to the first data stream (d1), and converts selected parts of the first data stream (d1) to a second data stream (d2) that has data encoded in a third data format (F3). An output decoder (5) forms playback signals from the second data stream (d2). The playback signal may be audio and/or video signals that are presented to the appropriate audio transducer or display device for presentation to a playback apparatus user(s).

Abstract: Method of registering a running time on an information carrier, the information carrier comprising main data and subcode data, the running time being indicated in a subcode channel by a subcode time expressed in accordance with a predetermined format. A pseudo-running time is described by incrementing the subcode time in accordance with a pseudo-tempo, which is different from an actual tempo, the actual tempo representing a tempo in accordance with the actual running time. The invention further relates to an information carrier and an apparatus.

Abstract: Non-uniform modulation encoding techniques are provided to prevent data from containing bit patterns that are prone to errors during read back. Modulation encoding is performed on a data stream to remove error prone bit patterns. Unconstrained data, such as error check parity, that is inserted into the modulated data stream may contain error prone bit patterns. Stricter modulation constraints are enforced on bits that are next to the unconstrained data, than on the remaining bits. By enforcing stricter modulation constraints on these bits, an entire data bit stream can have a desired modulation constraint.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for applying modulation constraints to data streams using a short block encoder. A short block encoder encodes a subset of the bits in a data stream. Then, the even and odd interleaves in a data stream are separated into two data paths. A first modulation encoder encodes the even interleave according to a first modulation constraint. A second modulation encoder encodes the odd interleave according to a second modulation constraint, which in general coincides with the modulation constraint for even interleave.

Abstract: Provided is a method of recording data on an optical recording medium having a plurality of addressable unit areas. 62 sync frames, each having a sync code and data, can be recorded in each of the addressable unit areas. Thus, user data can be recorded on a recordable optical disc at a higher density.

Abstract: In a recording method for an optical disk, an optical disk is used, in which concave and convex areas formed as concave and convex sections on the disk substrate are arranged along a track with constant intervals and a recording area for recording data of a predetermined number of units is placed between the concave and convex areas arranged with constant intervals. Upon recording information on this optical disk, a two-dimensional array is formed by adding addition data to input data, a first encoding parity is added to the two dimensional array by carrying out a first encoding process that forms a code sequence by using a data alignment in a diagonal direction, and a second encoding parity is added to the resulting two dimensional array by carrying out a second encoding process that forms a code sequence by using a data alignment in a row direction so that a second two dimensional array is formed. Then, data is successively recorded in the row direction.

Abstract: A data-demodulating method for demodulating a variable-length code (d, k; m, n; r) having a basic code length of n bits to data having a basic data length of m bits. A train of codes is received, and a sync signal having a pattern that breaks a maximum run is detected. The pattern is repeated twice continuously and the minimum run is repeated no more than six times. The first bit of the sync signal is “1” when the train of modulated codes that immediately precedes the sync signal is included in a termination table used to terminate, at a desired position, a code when less than a predetermined number of variable length codes are available.

Abstract: A method of modulating data having a basic data length of m bits, to a variable-length code (d, k; m, n; r) having a basic code length of n bits. A sync signal is added to a received train of codes after a minimum run. The sync signal has a pattern that is repeated twice continuously. The minimum run is repeated no more than six times; and the sync signal exhibits seven types of sync signal IDs, with any adjacent two bits of a sync signal ID being spaced apart by a distance of 2.

Abstract: A DVD audio data structure following high-sound-quality specifications is realized, making the best use of the audio data structure standard in DVD video. A first sample data string created by digitizing a first channel audio signal at a first sampling frequency in a first number of quantization bits, a second sample data string created by digitizing a second channel audio signal at a second sampling frequency in a second number of quantization bits, and header data including timing data to synchronize the first sample data string with the second sample data string are recorded on a recording medium.

Abstract: Apparatus for modulating data having a basic data length of m bits, to a variable-length code (d, k; m, n; r) having a basic code length of n bits. A sync signal is added to a received train of codes after a minimum run. The sync signal has a pattern that is repeated twice continuously. The minimum run is repeated no more than six times; and the sync signal exhibits seven types of sync signal IDs, with any adjacent two bits of a sync signal ID being spaced apart by a distance of 2.

Abstract: A data-demodulating apparatus for demodulating a variable-length code (d, k; m, n; r) having a basic code length of n bits to data having a basic data length of m bits. A train of codes is received, and a sync signal having a pattern that breaks a maximum run is detected. The pattern is repeated twice continuously and the minimum run is repeated no more than six times. The first bit of the sync signal is “1” when the train of modulated codes that immediately precedes the sync signal is included in a termination table used to terminate, at a desired position, a code when less than a predetermined number of variable length codes are available.

Abstract: A digital sum variation (DSV) computation method and system is proposed, which is capable of determining the DSV value of a bit stream of channel-bit symbols to thereby find the optimal merge-bit symbol for insertion between each succeeding pair of the channel-bit symbols. This DSV computation method and system is characterized in the use of a Zero Digital Sum Variation (ZDSV) principle to determine the DSV. This DSV computation method and system can find the optimal merge-bit symbol for insertion between each succeeding pair of the channel-bit symbols in a more cost-effective manner with the need for a reduced amount of memory and utilizes a lookup table requiring a reduced amount of memory space for storage so that memory space can be reduced as compared to the prior art. This DSV computation method and system is therefore more advantageous to use than the prior art.

Abstract: A method and device for recording information in units on a partly recorded writable record carrier, e.g. an optical disc. The information is recorded in a track represented by series of marks of different runlengths between a minimum runlength and a maximum runlength and synchronizing patterns of marks, which patterns do not occur in the series of marks and comprise at least one long mark of at least the maximum runlength. At least one information unit is encoded into a modulated signal comprising signal elements corresponding to said marks. The track is scanned up to a link position before a selected one of said addressable locations, and the modulated signal is recorded from the link position. The modulated signal is provided at the begin and/or at the end with a link signal element corresponding to a mark of at most the minimum runlength.

Abstract: A recording medium includes an area in which data encoded with an error correction code is recorded. In the recording medium, data which contains an error uncorrectable with the error correction code, and data which does not contain an error uncorrectable with the error correction code are recorded in predetermined pattern.

Abstract: First and second synchronous words having respective numbers of times of inversion different from each other in NRZI conversion are generated in a synchronous word generation portion, and first and second code word series data are generated by arranging code word data generated making reference to a run-length coding table after these two synchronous words. With respect to the first and second code word series data, DSV calculation results stored in two DSV calculation peak value memories corresponding to these data are compared with each other by a peak value comparison portion. Based on a comparison result, the code word series data having a smaller direct-current component generated in NRZI conversion is selected.

Abstract: A writing method for an optical disc to optimize a writing speed, wherein a spiral track on the optical disc is divided into a plurality of zones, and different CLV writing speeds are used for performing a ZCLV writing to the zones respectively. The writing method comprises steps of: setting a plurality of writing modes; storing a plurality of zone parameter sets for the writing modes respectively in a memory, wherein each of the zone parameter sets comprises dividing times for dividing the zones, and the different CLV writing speeds for the zone respectively; determining a disc type of the optical disc by a disc type determining device before the ZCLV writing is performed; selecting one of the zone parameter sets that is suitable to the disc type of the optical disc; and performing the ZCLV writing with the writing mode corresponding to the selected zone parameter set.

Abstract: In a data reproduction method and apparatus of the present invention, a Viterbi detection unit is provided, the Viterbi detection unit having a plurality of detectors each providing a first partial response signal with a first constraint length from a first sequence of samples derived from a first readout signal. One of connection and disconnection of the plurality of detectors in the Viterbi detection unit is selected in response to a timing signal, wherein, when the connection of the plurality of detectors is selected, the Viterbi detection unit provides a second partial response signal with a second constraint length from a second sequence of samples derived from a second readout signal, the second constraint length being different from the first constraint length.

Abstract: In an optical disc, a wobble signal is to be detected by a simple configuration. In the optical disc, the address information, modulated onto a sinusoidal cannier signal by adding even harmonics signals to the sinusoidal carrier signal and by changing the polarity of the harmonics signals, is formed into the wobble signal. In detecting the wobble signal from the optical disc to demodulate the address information, in a method for detecting the wobble signal, an even harmonics signal and data clocks are generated, and the even harmonics signal so generated are multiplied with the reproduced wobble signal. The resulting product signal is integrated every data clock. The sign of the digital information is verified based on the integrated value at an end edge of the data clock.

Abstract: An information storage medium according to an embodiment of this invention has an area for storing predetermined data modulated according to the (d, k; m, n) modulation rule. The predetermined data includes at least one SYNC code in a predetermined recording unit, and the number of “1”s included in a predetermined number of a series of channel bits at an arbitrary position in the SYNC code is not more than a half the predetermined number.

Abstract: Heretofore, if the recording mark arranging method in a track is changed, the physical format on the disk is also changed, as in DVD-Rs and DVD-RAMs. This makes it difficult to attain interchangeability between data recorded in a plurality of different recording mark arranging methods. There is provided a method which makes it possible to arbitrarily set a frequency conversion multiplying factor to be used when generating a write clock from a signal obtained by detecting track deformation periodically provided on a recording track, which makes it possible to arbitrarily set a total number of channel bits in a single track, and which thereby implements a plurality of different recording mark arranging methods on disks having the same physical format.

Abstract: A record carrier has a servo track (4) indicating an information track (9) intended for recording information blocks. The servo track (4) has a periodic variation of a physical parameter at a predetermined frequency and modulated parts for encoding position information at regular intervals. The modulated parts start with a bit sync element and are of a data type having a data bit element, or of a word sync type having a word sync element. The word sync element and the data bit element are modulated according to a same predetermined type of modulation of the periodic variation. The effective strength of a modulated element is the number of periodic variations that are substantially different and available for detection of that element. The effective strength of the word sync element and of the data bit element are equal.

Abstract: In an optical recording medium 10 comprising groove tracks 11 including a first area Ba for recording record information and a second area Ca in which predetermined data is formed as embossed pit rows 19 and a readout of other data overwritten and recorded on said embossed pit rows 19 is prevented, and land tracks 12 formed between the adjacent groove tracks 11, a depth Ed and a duty of the embossed pit rows 19 are set so that a radial push-pull signal in the first area and a radial push-pull signal in the second area become the substantially same level.

Abstract: In an optical disk, address information, including an address information start mark, is recorded in a header region primarily based on variable-length codes such that, between each pair of nearest bits having a first logic value, at least two and at most seven bits having a second logic value are disposed. The address information start mark is detected based on a first criterion that a combination of pulse widths each defined in association with a nearest pair of bits having the first logic value is present in a pulse sequence, and also based on a second criterion that, when the logic level of the pulse sequence alternates between a first logic level and a second logic level in association with occurrence of bits having the first logic value intermittently disposed among bits having the second logic value, the logic levels of pulses in the pulse sequence coincide with their respective counterparts in the combination of pulse widths.

Abstract: There is disclosed a synchronous signal generating method, recording apparatus, transmitting apparatus, recording medium and transmission medium in which a plurality of coding tables is used to convert an input data word of p-bits to a code word of q-bits (q>p), and a code word string obtained by directly coupling the code words is recorded and reproduced in a recording medium such as an optical disk and magnetic disk, or transmitted via a transmitting portion. A synchronous frame consists of a synchronous signal and the cord word string satisfying restriction on minimum run length and maximum run length.

Abstract: In a data processing method of converting (n×m?1)-bit data to multi-level data of m symbols of n bits per symbol, n and m being integers satisfying n?2 and m?2, respectively, the m symbols each comprising n-bit data are arranged in m columns in an n×m matrix, with a value of each of the m symbols being set to an even or odd number, by creating the m symbols each including (n?1)-bit data of the (n×m?1)-bit data, arranging the m symbols in the m columns so that the {(n?1)×m}-bit data is arranged in upper-side {(n?1)×m} bits of the n×m matrix, and converting the remaining (m?1)-bit data of the (n×m?1)-bit data to m-bit data so that the m-bit data is arranged in a row in lower-side m bits of the n×m matrix.

Abstract: A method and device for recording information signals on a partly recorded writable record carrier (11), e.g. an optical disc. An information signal represents at least one information unit. The record carrier has a recording track which comprises preformed track position information indicative of locations for recording the information units. From the information signal a modulated signal is generated, and the recording track is scanned for recording the modulated signal. If recording is after and adjacent an existing recorded unit, linking information is read from an end boundary area of the existing recorded unit and used for logically generating the modulated signal. If recording is before and adjacent to an existing unit, linking information is read from a begin boundary area of the existing unit and thereafter used for logically generating the modulated signal.

Abstract: A digital modulation apparatus and method used for a DVD-RAM and a DVD-R/RW and for increasing the margin of an operation of an external device is provided. The digital modulation apparatus includes a 4-stage pipeline and includes a mode selection unit, a field enabling signal generation unit, a data fetch and sync code generating unit, an eight-to-fourteen modulation plus (EFMplus) conversion unit, and a non-return-to-zero inverted (NRZI) conversion unit. The mode selection unit generates a mode selection signal for selecting one from a DVD-RAM operation mode and a DVD-R/RW operation mode in response to a control signal. The field enabling signal generation unit selectively generates recording field enabling signals related to a DVD-RAM, or selectively generates recording field enabling signals related to a DVD-R/RW, in response to a start signal and the mode selection signal and provides the recording field enabling signals to the data fetch and sync code generation unit.

Abstract: A digital sum variation (DSV) computation method and system is proposed, which is capable of determining the DSV value of a bit stream of channel-bit symbols to thereby find the optimal merge-bit symbol for insertion between each succeeding pair of the channel-bit symbols. This DSV computation method and system is characterized in the use of a Zero Digital Sum Variation (ZDSV) principle to determine the DSV. This DSV computation method and system can find the optimal merge-bit symbol for insertion between each succeeding pair of the channel-bit symbols in a more cost-effective manner with the need for a reduced amount of memory and utilizes a lookup table requiring a reduced amount of memory space for storage so that memory space can be reduced as compared to the prior art. This DSV computation method and system is therefore more advantageous to use than the prior art.

Abstract: A high-definition optical disk and a high-definition optical disk drive, which record data on lands and grooves. Wobbles are formed in grooves and lands of an optical disk, and address information is embedded in the wobbles. The wobbles are formed so as to become in phase with each other in the grooves. An address of the land sandwiched between the grooves is detected from the wobble of the groove. When the wobble of the land is not an in-phase wobble but is of opposite phase, a gray code of the wobble is substituted with a binary address such that 0 is achieved when the gray code is converted into the binary address. As a result, even in the case of the wobble of opposite phase, the address information about the land is made coincident with address information about an inner-radius-side adjacent groove, thereby determining address information about the land.

Abstract: An ADIP (address in pre-groove) signal detection circuit is capable of correctly and quickly detecting discontinuous points in a wobble signal, and has a simple configuration in a wobble detection system of an optical disc device such as a DVD+R/RW, and an ADIP signal detection method thereof. The ADIP signal detection circuit performing the ADIP signal detection method includes one or two window comparators, two edge detection circuits each consisting of an exclusive OR circuit and an AND circuit, and two discontinuous point determination circuits each consisting of a flip-flop and a counter. Therefore, the ADIP signal detection circuit has a simple configuration so that it can be easily implemented. Also, since the ADIP signal detection circuit has a fast operation speed, the ADIP signal detection circuit detects discontinuous points correctly and quickly.

Abstract: Logical triggering methods and apparatus for use with optical bio-discs. Some embodiments place physical triggers on the surface of the disc. Other embodiments logically encode triggers in user data area of optical bio discs. Still other embodiments take advantage of common optical disc operational components such as pits, lands, and other information encoding indicia for the purpose of encoding triggers. Primary decoding components are used to decode logical triggers. Alternatively, an added secondary decoding component or a data processor may also be used for the purpose of processing triggers. Logical triggers may be encoded in a pit/land pattern, encoded in the time code control information of wobble signal of a CD-R/RW disc, encoded in the header address information of a DVD-RAM based disc, or may be superimposed on the operational logic of the drive. Other triggering patterns are invoked by chemical reaction caused by chemistry placed on the discs.

Abstract: A high-definition optical disk device for recording and reproducing data with respect to lands and grooves of an optical disk. The grooves and the lands of the optical disk are wobbled, and address information is embedded in gray code. In the grooves and the lands, both groove track address systems and land track address systems are embedded and form redundant systems. When detecting the address of a land, in addition to demodulation of the address data from the land track address system, the address data is also extracted from the groove track address system. The address data thus extracted is used for verification to detect an error in the demodulated address data.

Abstract: An optical recording medium is provided with a substrate having a land and a groove alternately arranged in a predetermined direction, a data recording region provided on the land and the groove, and an identification mark recording region-recorded with a data block identification mark. The identification mark recording region is provided on only one of the land and the groove.

Abstract: A recording medium, such as a high-density and/or read-only recording medium, such as BD-ROM, which includes an identification information, which can identify whether optional information, such as copy protection information, is needed or not for the playback of contents stored on the recording medium, and to methods and apparatuses for forming, recording, and reproducing data on the recording medium.

Abstract: To improve the sync code detection reliability while simplifying the sync code position detection process, when a first pattern as a combination of three successive sync codes is compared with a second pattern in which the allocation of sync codes is shifted by one code from the first pattern, two or more sync codes are changed.

Abstract: An optical disc recording method for superimposing sub information by displacing edges of one or more optically-readable recording marks by a minute amount on the basis of a binary sequence code, when recording main information by forming said one or more recording marks, the optical disc recording method comprising: a sequence generation step of generating a first binary sequence code and a second binary sequence code that is different from the first binary sequence code; a first displacement step of displacing one of the edges according to the first binary sequence code; and a second displacement step of displacing another of the edges according to the second binary sequence code.

Abstract: Four ECC blocks are recorded in a burst cutting area of an optical disc. Each ECC block is constituted by a BCA content code of 1 byte, content data length of 1 byte, and content data of 14 bytes. Of the BCA content data, the leading 6 bits are used for application ID and the remaining 2 bits are used for block number. Disc ID is stored in the content data. Since the four ECC blocks exist, the optical disc can be managed individually by four applications at the maximum. Thus it becomes possible to manage the same optical disc by a plurality of applications.

Abstract: An apparatus and method detecting synchronization of address in pre-groove (ADIP), allowing an optical storage device to write data to an accurate location of a disc includes a bit synchronization detecting unit and a word synchronization detecting unit. The bit synchronization detecting unit determines synchronization of bits of the ADIP to be in a bit synchronization locked state when synchronization of raw bits is detected within a bit synchronization window having a first predetermined period a first predetermined number of consecutive times. The word synchronization detecting unit determines synchronization of words of the ADIP to be in a word synchronization locked state when synchronization of raw words is detected within a word synchronization window having a second predetermined period the first predetermined number of consecutive times.

Abstract: An optical reproducing method using an optical recording medium having an aligned prepit portion straddled on a plurality of tracks in a radial direction which includes a first and a second prepit portion divided in a track direction. The respective first and second prepit portion are arranged on a boundary of respective tracks and include a synchronous information prepit arranged at every two-track pitch in the radial direction and positioned at opposite boundaries of the same track. A trailing end of the first prepit portion is aligned with the radial direction in arrangement. the method includes irradiating an optical spot on the optical recording medium, detecting a reflected beam from the optical recording medium, and reproducing information on the optical recording medium by using a signal obtained in accordance with the reflected beam.

Abstract: A data modulation method and apparatus for recording data on a disc-type recording medium, a sync code insertion method and apparatus using the same, and a recording medium for recording programs executing the methods. The method, which inserts a sync code into data recorded on a disc-type recording medium, includes inserting the sync code into an input data stream, wherein the sync code includes one pattern breaking the maximum run and other patterns aligned before and after the one pattern, the length of the other patterns being the same as or larger than a value obtained by dividing the outermost circumference radius of the disc-type recording medium by the innermost circumference radius. The sync code insertion method uses a sync code pattern made in consideration of the radii of the innermost and outermost circumferences of a disc on which data is recorded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting information recorded as a phase-modulated wobble along a track of an optical disk, whereby a reference phase section is recorded with wobble having a predetermined reference phase and whereby respective polarities of phase integration values obtained by synchronous detection of phase-modulated unit sections following the reference phase section, in a playback wobble signal, are compared with the polarity of a reference phase integration value obtained for the reference phase section, to thereby detect respective bit states expressed by the phase-modulated unit sections.

Abstract: A data recording method for calculating a digital sum value (DSV) corresponding to a proportion of positive data and negative data included in predetermined data ranges, selecting a resync pattern to be inserted between the data ranges according to the DSV, and inserting the selected resync pattern between the data ranges, has a step of selecting a resync pattern that minimizes differences in DSV between the data ranges.