Abstract: The present invention provides a data recording device that can restrain the low-pass component in data to be written onto a recording medium without causing a problem in decoding the data using likelihood information. This data recording device includes: a data bit string combining unit that combines, by predetermined combining rules, a plurality of predetermined parity bit strings one by one with a data bit string obtained prior to a change to the bit order in a bit order rearranging procedure, thereby generating a plurality of composite data bit strings; and a data bit string selecting unit that selects one encoded data bit string from a plurality of encoded data bit strings generated through encoding procedures including the bit order rearranging procedure carried out for each of the plurality of composite data bit strings. Based on the selected encoded data bit string, the data recording device performs a data write operation onto the recording medium.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing area and a reproduction-only area are formed by wobbling a groove formed in a spiral fashion to form a track to be tracked on a disk. The recording and reproducing area has address information recorded by wobbling of the groove and information recorded and reproduced by phase change marks on the track formed by the groove where the address information is recorded. The reproduction-only area has prerecorded information recorded by wobbling of the groove.

Abstract: A recorded stream generator generates a data block stream in synchronism with the phase of a recording clock, from the input data. The recorded stream generator further generates, for each predetermined data unit constituting the data block stream, a data phase reference pulse indicative of the phase of the data unit. An inserting section inserts a VFO signal into a predetermined amount (32 sectors) of the data block stream, the VFO signal having a length of time corresponding to a difference in phase between an wobble address phase signal and a data phase reference pulse. The inserting section thus provides a data stream DST consisting of the VFO signals and the data block streams. An LD uses light beams to record the data stream on an optical disk.

Abstract: In order to record the closed GOP at the head of a recording area in the second layer of a dual-layer recording disk, dummy data is recorded into the head of a space recording area in the first layer of the dual-layer recording disk.

Abstract: The data to be recorded onto a recording medium is directly spread and then recorded onto the recording medium through a needle-shaped member, such as a probe. Upon reproducing the data, the data read from the recording medium is de-spread and reproduced.

Abstract: A data recording device comprises a block division unit dividing a sequence of user data blocks into first blocks and second blocks, a plurality of multi-level data generating units generating multi-level data blocks from the first blocks and the second block, a group data storage unit storing first and second groups of code data corresponding to one user data block, a plurality of averaging units each calculating an average of DC levels based on the multi-level data of one of the blocks, a level comparison unit comparing each of the DC level averages with a predetermined value; a revision data generating unit generating a revision data using a result of the comparison, a data selection unit selecting one of the first and second groups of code data, and an output storage unit storing the first blocks, the second blocks generated using the selected code data, and the revision data.

Abstract: A data recording device. A random data generator randomly generates substitute data. A recording data generator receives original data and a recording address from a host, receives the substitute data, compares the recording address with a reference address, and outputs the substitute data according to the comparison result. An encoder generates a first data block according to the substitute data. A modulator modulates the first data block. An optical pickup records the modulated first data block on the optical recording medium according to the recording address.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of digital data conversion. The method includes binding input digital data into unit blocks constituted by a plurality of bytes, modulation-coding each byte of the input data blocks by using a code conversion table, and allocating a merging bit in block unit for the modulation-coded input data in block unit.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus for suppressing a Digital Sum Value (DSV) and performing Running Optimum Power Control (R-OPC). An encoding/decoding circuit inserts a synchronization information item to a head of only one synchronous frame when data are recorded on an optical disk. First, the encoding/decoding circuit inserts a synchronization information item having a polarity of either a mark or a space on the basis of a DSV. When the polarity of the first synchronization information item is a mark, the polarity of a next synchronization information item is set to a space. When the polarity of the first synchronization information is a space, the polarity of the next synchronization information is set to a mark. A system controller executes R-OPC at a timing when the synchronization information having the polarity of a mark is recorded on the optical disk.

Abstract: Described herewith is an optical disk manufacturing apparatus for reading recorded digital data from an optical disk, comprising an encryption unit (22, 23) for encrypting entered digital data according to a plurality of key information; an optical disk substrate manufacturing unit 2 for manufacturing an optical disk substrate 4 on which the encrypted digital data and key information are recorded in the form of physical form changes; a reflection film forming unit 41 for forming a reflection film on the optical disk substrate 4; and a key information recording unit 7 for recording key information on the optical disk substrate on which the reflection film is formed. The reflection factor of the optical disk is changed locally, thereby giving a jitter to the position information of each pit edge, and desired data is recorded additionally according to this jitter. Pits, etc.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for writing data marks representing a sequence of channel bit values to an optical disc or a master disc along either one or more concentric or spiral data tracks or along at least one concentric or spiral metatrack consisting of two or more parallel concentric or spiral sub-tracks.

Abstract: A method of recording multivalued information by writing, by using a photo spot, an information pit on a virtual cell that is set on a track of an optical information recording medium, while changing a width of the information pit in the direction of the track, and of reproducing the multivalued information by detecting a level of the multistep reproduced signal from the information pit, includes: recording different pieces of multivalued information in a learning area of the optical information recording medium on a unit cell (predetermined number of cells) basis; sampling the reproduced signals of the multivalued information on the unit cell basis by using the photo spot; storing the reproduced signals in the sampled learning area on the unit cell basis; recording the multivalued information in a user data area of the optical information recording medium; sampling, by using the photo spots, the reproduced signals from the multivalued information recorded on the user data area; and reproducing the multivalue

Abstract: A method of recording data on a compact disc is provided includes modulating the data of 1 byte to p-channel bits, recording the modulated data when a minimum mark length is greater than 0.5 ?m and smaller than 1.0 ?m, p/q is greater than 4.5 and smaller than 8 when the minimum mark length corresponds to q-channel bits, and a format efficiency is greater than 0.6 and smaller than 1.0. Thus, data can be recorded on an existing compact disc at a higher density.

Abstract: The present invention is relative with a method for recording further data on a recording medium on which there re pre-recorded data obtained on modulating M-bit data to N-bit data, where M<N. The further recorded data are recorded by changing a certain bit or bits of the N-bit data, with the remaining portion of the bits of the N-bit data being fixed.

Abstract: The objects of the present invention are to facilitate the driving of the recording energy source, and to secure sufficient cooling time of the recording medium to promote the high-speed formation of high-precision marks and to provide high-speed and large-capacity information recording apparatuses at a low cost. To achieve the above objects, at the time of information recording, p is chosen as the integer constant for marks natural number k times long of the detection window width by referring to the mark length in the recording data sequence, the recording data sequence is discriminated according to the quotient obtained by and the remainder remaining after dividing k+p by two or more integer constants, and the energy generating means is driven according to different procedures based on the result of discrimination obtained thereby.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus includes a signal reading unit for reading a signal from a recording medium, an equalizing unit for performing partial response equalization on the read signal and outputting an equalized signal, a maximum likelihood decoding unit for performing maximum likelihood decoding on the equalized signal to decode binary data and outputting a binary data string, a determining unit for determining whether or not a shortest code in the binary data string obtained by the maximum likelihood decoding is correct, on the basis of information on an amplitude of the equalized signal corresponding to the shortest code, a code correcting unit for correcting the shortest code in the binary data string, in accordance with a result of the determination of the determination unit, and a data demodulating unit for demodulating the binary data string obtained through the code correcting unit to obtain reproduction data from the recording medium.

Abstract: A recording method for converting m-bit data into n-bit (where n>m) bit data whose run length is restricted and recoding the converted data on a recording medium, the recording method comprising the steps of when at least preceded data is data containing a special data pattern, lightening the restriction of the run length; and recording data so that the cumulative value of DC components per unit time increase when the data is reproduced in the state that the run length is restricted.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for generating a time code compatible with 50P, 60P or 59.94P and having interchangeability with existing time codes. The apparatus includes: a microcomputer for dividing a frame number indicated by time address data in supplied code word data to obtain a quotient and a remainder; and the microcomputer and a time code reader for replacing the frame number indicated by the time address data in the code word data with the quotient and for generating a time code based on the code word data in which a value of a color frame flag is set to 0 if the remainder is 0 and for replacing the frame number with the quotient and for generating the time code based on the code word data in which the value of the color frame flag is set to 1 if the remainder is 1.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording information generates an encryption key based on a user password, encrypts user-selected data using the encryption key, and records the encrypted data on the medium. The information may then be read and reproduced from the medium using another disk drive, including one which does not have prior access to decryption software compatible with the data on the medium. The information is reproduced by reading the decryption program from the disk, generating an encryption key based on an input user password using the decryption program, and then decrypting the user-selected data using the key. Through this method the encryption key and password do not have to be stored on the medium, which provides an enhanced level of protection of the recorded data.

Abstract: A method of detecting a data structure of fourteen-bit data in an optical storage device includes connecting a first 8-bit register between an eight-to-fourteen modulator and a leading zero counter, storing 8 least significant bits of the data output from the eight-to-fourteen modulator into the first 8-bit register, and calculating the number of leading zeros with the leading zero counter.

Abstract: A recording method includes the steps of generating recording data in such a manner that, when m-bit data is converted into a data symbol of n bits (m<n), and connection bits such that the summed value of DC components per unit time decreases are selected from among a plurality of connection bits and are added after the m-bit data symbol, the connection bits differing from connection bits which are added when the n-bit data symbol is a data symbol other than the special data symbol are added to generate recording data; and recording the generated recording data on a recording medium.

Abstract: The methods described herein are directed at securing information in storage media such as optical discs, magnetic disks or a combination thereof. In particular the methods describe embedding a first stream of data in a second stream of data by modulating the location of transition edges in the second stream of data. A method for writing data to a storage medium includes the steps of representing the raw (first) data to be written to the storage medium as a sequence of bits in a format appropriate for writing to a storage medium; representing second data (supplemental data) as a second sequence of bits and writing the first sequence of bits to the storage medium as a corresponding sequence of pits along a track, wherein the location of the pits along the track represents the stored first data, and while writing the first sequence of pits, modulating the locations at which transition edges of the sequence of pits are written to embed the second data in the sequence of pits.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for overwriting data in a probe-based data storage device in which data bits are represented by the presence and absence of pits at bit positions on a storage surface, the pits being formed in the storage surface by a probe mechanism of the device. Input data is coded to generate a coded bit sequence and an overwrite technique is employed to record the coded bit sequence on the storage surface over an old, previously-recorded bit sequence. Together with the properties of the coded bit sequence, the overwrite technique exploits the physical mechanism of the write process in that, with appropriate spacing of the bit positions on the storage surface, writing a pit at a bit position can erase an existing pit within a defined number of neighboring bit positions.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus for forming an image on an optical disk according to dot data which defines density of dots of the image, the optical disk apparatus includes: a framing unit which makes a frame data by grouping a plurality of unit data, wherein when the dot data, the dot data are treated as the unit data; a pit forming unit which sequentially forms pits defined by a bit train signal of the frame data; a discrimination unit which determines whether the section in the frame data corresponding to the dot data is a predetermined value; and a gate unit which, in case the discrimination result by the discrimination unit is affirmative, supplies the bit train signal to the pit forming unit and, in case the discrimination result by the discrimination unit is negative, interrupts supply of the bit train signal to the pit forming unit.

Abstract: A writing scheme for writing an information to an optical recording medium by forming mark areas, e.g. pit areas, corresponding to a predetermined state of said information on a recording surface of said optical recording medium. The writing scheme is adapted to modulate the shape of said mark areas in a predetermined manner so as to obtain incomplete mark areas which do not fully cover the size which is allocated to the channel bit to be written. The incomplete mark areas may be obtained by modulating their shape in any manner suitable to reduce the reflection surface and/or to increase diffraction. Additionally, a multi-level modulation or a binary modulation may be achieved by controlling the shape or number of the incomplete mark areas, respectively, in accordance with the level of a multi-level coded information.

Abstract: An optical disk recording apparatus is provided that includes an optical pickup, an image encoder that generates data corresponding to a visual image to be drawn in a recording region of an optical disk, an LD control unit that controls the optical pickup and records long pits and long spaces that form the visual image in the recording region, and a system controller that determines whether no reproducible data are stored in the recording region and records the visual image by controlling the LD control unit. Since the reflective ratio of the region where the long pits are formed changes, the region becomes visible to a user. Accordingly, any characters and figures designated by an external device can be visibly recorded on the data recording surface of the optical disk.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing system is broken down into a recording unit for producing a digital audio data signal from MIDI music data words asynchronously produced at irregular intervals and a playback unit for reproducing the MIDI music data codes from the digital audio data signal, wherein synchronous data nibbles are supplemented in the irregular intervals among the MIDI music data words for producing a data stream, and the digital audio data signal is produced from the data stream through a differential phase shift keying and a phase code modulation so as to record the MIDI messages in a digital versatile disk at high dense.

Abstract: A system for copy protection of record carriers for digital data is described according to which at least one predetermined repetitive bit pattern which encodes into channel bits having an accumulated digital sum value that exceeds a first predetermined limit and that is below a second predetermined limit is determined and recorded onto said record carrier by a mastering process so that said accumulated digital sum value which exceeds said first predetermined limit and is below said second predetermined limit is achieved in said at least one replaced and/or inserted part.

Abstract: A method of generating an efficient sequence of “nm+m?1” level random numbers, each sub-sequence of “m” successive random numbers thereof having a different pattern, including the steps of generating a sequence of n-level random numbers based on an initial value, a number being generated at a time, determining whether a pattern of a sub-sequence is “used”, if the pattern of the sub-sequence is “used”, setting a different value to the initial value, if the pattern of the sub-sequence is not “used”, accepting the newly generated number and marking the pattern as “used”. All of the steps are repeated until all of “nm” patterns are exhausted. Since the newly generated number is rejected if the pattern of the sub-sequence is “used”, the sequence becomes the shortest one of which all of “nm” patterns are exhausted.

Abstract: A data recording device comprises a block division unit dividing a sequence of user data blocks into first blocks and second blocks, a plurality of multi-level data generating units generating multi-level data blocks from the first blocks and the second block, a group data storage unit storing first and second groups of code data corresponding to one user data block, a plurality of averaging units each calculating an average of DC levels based on the multi-level data of one of the blocks, a level comparison unit comparing each of the DC level averages with a predetermined value; a revision data generating unit generating a revision data using a result of the comparison, a data selection unit selecting one of the first and second groups of code data, and an output storage unit storing the first blocks, the second blocks generated using the selected code data, and the revision data.

Abstract: A predetermined synchronization pattern (40), a so-called VFO field, in, for example, the headers 3 of an information carrier, consists of sequences of 3T marks and spaces (41), of 8T marks and spaces (42) and of 5T marks and spaces (43). This sequence of patterns is advantageous for setting the dynamic range of an Automatic Gain Controlled (AGC) amplifier located within a device reading the information carrier.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus, an information recording method, an information recording medium, an information reproducing apparatus and an information reproducing method by which in the case in which the present invention is applied to an optical disk system by, for example, a compact disk or the like and data or the like related to copyright is recorded by partial change of a pit shape or the like, the data can be reproduced with certainty without repeatedly recording the data. With regard to a defect having a size by which at least main data can be reproduced correctly, 1 bit of sub-data SB is allocated to a pit row or the like having a predetermined length or more such that the sub-data SB can be reproduced correctly.

Abstract: A main information area 31 capable of recording an information signal and a subsidiary information area 32 for recording subsidiary information that is different from the information signal are divided in one principal plane direction of a substrate, and an information layer for recording the information signal in the main information area 31 is provided also in the subsidiary information area 32, and medium identification information for distinguishing the medium optically is recorded in the information layer of the subsidiary information area 32 without changing the shape of the information layer. As a result, the medium identification information can be recorded in an optical recording medium 1 stably. In particular, the initialization of a phase change type optical recording medium and the recording of the medium identification information can be performed at the same time, so that the production process can be simplified, and the production costs can be reduced.

Abstract: An information recording method in which an energy beam is irradiated to a recording medium and a basic recording pattern is generated. The basic recording pattern has a first power level provides a first state and a second power level providing a second state. Based upon a period of a recording timing generating clock in a recording mode, and a relative velocity of the energy beam and the recording medium, there is formed a first sequence of the second state and the first state based upon parameters as a first small recording pattern, a second sequence which starts with the first state and ends with the first state as a second small recording pattern, a state in which the second small recording pattern follows said the small recording pattern as the basic recording pattern, and a state in which the basic recording patterns are repeated as a recording pattern.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an information recording method for recording information in a data rewritable type optical recording medium having a plurality of information recording layers, which can form recording marks having good shapes.

Abstract: A laser power selecting method includes the steps of recording an asymmetry measuring recording pattern in an optical disk trial-writing area while a laser power is being changed, reproducing a signal from the trial-writing area to calculate an asymmetry value from the waveform of the reproduced signal, determining the change rate of asymmetry from the relation between a laser power when the recording pattern is recorded and the calculated asymmetry value, and setting a laser power, at which the determined change rate of an asymmetry value is maximum, as a recording power used when recording on an optical disk.

Abstract: A recording medium on which at least one piece of data that has been encoded with a first error correction code and data that can be decoded with the first error correction code and that can be decoded with a second error correction code that is different from the first error correction code.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disk-like recording medium, a disk recording apparatus and a disk recording method, and a disk playback apparatus and a disk playback method. Disk ID is recorded over a circle of a burst cutting area on an optical disk. The circle is divided into n blocks, each of the blocks is divided into m frames, and ID information is recorded in each of the frames with k channel bits.

Abstract: A recording apparatus generates a first pulse (EQEFM signal) in accordance with recording data such as an EFM signal. A second pulse (first overdrive pulse) to be combined with substantially the leading edge of the first pulse is generated. A third pulse (end overdrive pulse) to be combined with substantially the trailing edge of the first pulse is generated. The first, second, and third pulses are combined to synthesize a driving pulse, and the driving pulse is supplied to a laser unit. At least one of the first, second, and third pulses is controlled so that one of the level and the pulse duration thereof is varied in accordance with the length of formed pits and lands.

Abstract: The present invention provides an information recording/reproducing device capable of ejecting an information recording medium during a process of formatting the medium or continuously writing data on the medium, characterized in that the device records a variable length of a lead-out in a lead-out area on the information recording medium; and the device allows the information recording medium to be ejected after the recording of the lead-out is completed.

Abstract: Methods are provided for overwriting data in a probe-based data storage device (1) wherein data is represented by the presence and absence of pits formed in a storage surface (4) by a probe of the device. Input data is first coded such that successive bits of a first value in the coded input data are separated by at least one bit of the other value. Overwrite data bits v0, v1, v2, . . . , are generated from the coded input data bits b0, b1, b2, . . . , and the overwrite data bits v0, v1, v2, . . . , are then used to overwrite data on the storage surface (4). According to a first method, the overwrite data bits are generated such that, if a pit represents a bit of said first value in the data storage device (1) then vi={overscore (b)}i?1, for i?1 and v0 has said first value, and if a pit represents a bit of said other value in the data storage device (1) then vi=bi?1 for i?1 and v0 has said other value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a data recording device that can restrain the low-pass component in data to be written onto a recording medium without causing a problem in decoding the data using likelihood information. This data recording device includes: a data bit string combining unit that combines, by predetermined combining rules, a plurality of predetermined parity bit strings one by one with a data bit string obtained prior to a change to the bit order in a bit order rearranging procedure, thereby generating a plurality of composite data bit strings; and a data bit string selecting unit that selects one encoded data bit string from a plurality of encoded data bit strings generated through encoding procedures including the bit order rearranging procedure carried out for each of the plurality of composite data bit strings. Based on the selected encoded data bit string, the data recording device performs a data write operation onto the recording medium.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a data recording method and optic recording medium that is capable of reproducing address data accurately by reducing the correlation of address data between adjacent tracks, reducing the effect of cross-talk between adjacent tracks on the recording clock and by making it possible to apply a cross-talk canceller to the wobble signal. The data-recording method of recording data while controlling the correlation between a first data string and a second data string that are contained in recording data, and is provided with a selecting process of selecting inversion/no inversion of first data string such that the correlation between first data string and second data string is reduced; and a recording process of recording first data string according to selected inversion/no inversion polarity, and recording control code that indicates whether inversion/no inversion was selected for first data string.

Abstract: A mark representing information of a multivalued level is recorded in each of cells arranged in a recording medium. Upon reproducing the multivalued level from a reproduction signal of the recording medium, the multivalued level of a present cell is judged by referring to a judged multivalued level of a preceding cell preceding the present cell or an ensuing cell ensuing the present cell, or by referring to the judged multivalued levels of both the preceding cell and the ensuing cell.

Abstract: The invention provides a shell material for recording media comprising an alloy between an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin and recovery polyethylene terephthalate, the content of recovery polyethylene terephthalate in the total amount of the alloy being in the range of 5 to 80% by mass. The invention also provides a shell material for recording media comprising an alloy between an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin and recovery polyethylene terephthalate and having a window part. The content of recovery polyethylene terephthalate in the total amount of the alloy is in the range of 5 to 80% by mass, and the window part comprises the polyethylene terephthalate resin, a polycarbonate resin or a polyphenylene ether resin as a constituting material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information recording apparatus, an information recording method, an information recording medium, an information reproducing apparatus and an information reproducing method by which in the case in which the present invention is applied to an optical disk system by, for example, a compact disk or the like and data or the like related to copyright is recorded by partial change of a pit shape or the like, the data can be reproduced with certainty without repeatedly recording the data. According to the present invention, with regard to a defect having a size by which at least main data can be reproduced correctly, 1 bit of sub-data SB is allocated to a pit row or the like having a predetermined length or more such that the sub-data SB can be reproduced correctly.

Abstract: A DVD-R recorder according to the invention detects an item of recording speed information (d15) from a DVD-R (30) on which histories of recording speed information, write strategy, and recording power condition are stored. When the decoded item of recording speed information (d15) agrees with a set item of recording speed information (d17), the recorder detects the write strategy (d6) and the recording power condition (d10) corresponding to the decoded item of recording speed information (d15). A recording-pulse-determination section (9) converts a recording pattern (d8) into a recording pulse (d9) according to the write strategy (d6). A recording-power-determination section (12) performs an OPC based on the recording power condition (d10). The recording power condition (d10) may include information specifying that a recording pulse corresponding to the front edge of a recorded mark has a larger recording power than other recording pulses.

Abstract: A main information area 31 capable of recording an information signal and a subsidiary information area 32 for recording subsidiary information that is different from the information signal are divided in one principal plane direction of a substrate, and an information layer for recording the information signal in the main information area 31 is provided also in the subsidiary information area 32, and medium identification information for distinguishing the medium optically is recorded in the information layer of the subsidiary information area 32 without changing the shape of the information layer. As a result, the medium identification information can be recorded in an optical recording medium 1 stably. In particular, the initialization of a phase change type optical recording medium and the recording of the medium identification information can be performed at the same time, so that the production process can be simplified, and the production costs can be reduced.

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: The present invention relates to an information recording apparatus, an information recording method, an information recording medium, an information reproducing apparatus and an information reproducing method by which in the case in which the present invention is applied to an optical disk system by, for example, a compact disk or the like and data or the like related to copyright is recorded by partial change of a pit shape or the like, the data can be reproduced with certainty without repeatedly recording the data. According to the present invention, with regard to a defect having a size by which at least main data can be reproduced correctly, 1 bit of sub-data SB is allocated to a pit row or the like having a predetermined length or more such that the sub-data SB can be reproduced correctly.