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 decoder for improving the reliability of synchronization pattern detection. The decoder includes a synchronization circuit for detecting a synchronization pattern from LPP data and wobble data. A first frame counter is reset when a synchronization detection circuit detects the synchronization pattern of a first sector and counts the number of frames of data until the synchronization pattern of the next sector is detected. A comparison circuit compares a count value of the first frame counter with a first reference value, which corresponds to the number of frames for one sector. A determination circuit determines whether or not the detected synchronization pattern is proper based on the comparison result of the comparison circuit.

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: 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: User data is recorded in a recording medium while being linked in units of a fixed length packet, and information indicative of this fact is written to the recording medium. At the time of reading the user data, the position of data linking block can be detected by making reference to the identification information, whereby the excessive run-out blocks which would be otherwise requisite to detect the position of the data linking block are made unnecessary. At the time of data linking, a part where data in the run-in block is missing is filled with correct data, thus the run-in block can correctly be read, whereby the excessive run-in blocks which would otherwise be requisite are made unnecessary.

Abstract: A method for recoding data on an optical medium such as DVD. The method includes receiving main data from a data source, determining a plurality of data frame values in response to the main data, inverting at least one selected bit in at least one of the data frame values to generate a plurality of encoded data frames, scrambling the encoded data frames by a feedback shift register to generate scrambled data frames, generating ECC values in response to the scrambled data frames, adding the ECC values to the scrambled data frames to generate an ECC block, rearranging the ECC block to generate a plurality of recording frames, encoding the recording frame by an eight-to-sixteen modulation (ESM) encoder to generate code words, adding sync values to the code words to generate a plurality of physical sectors, and recording the physical sectors on the optical medium. There is a complementary method for reading and decoding data from an optical medium.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a gate signal generator for generating a gate signal in accordance with the data signal; a pre-pit signal generator for generating a pre-pit signal from a signal read from the recording medium; a gate circuit for generating a pre-pit pulse train by allowing the pre-pit signal to pass therethrough in response to the gate signal; a pulse extractor for extracting pulses of predetermined waveform from the pre-pit pulse train; and a synchronization signal generator for generating a recording synchronization signal based on the pulses of predetermined waveform.

Abstract: A reproduction signal evaluation method of this invention includes the step of obtaining a reproduction signal from an information recording medium on which digital information is recorded with record marks having different sizes, the step of obtaining the amplitude of a first reproduction signal, of the signals contained in the reproduction signal, which reflects digital information recorded with a record mark having the maximum size, the step of obtaining the amplitude of a second reproduction signal, of the signals contained in the reproduction signal, which reflects digital information recorded with a record mark having the second smallest size, the step of obtaining an evaluation value from the ratio of the amplitudes of the first and second reproduction signals, and the step of evaluating a characteristic of the reproduction signal on the basis of the evaluation value.

Abstract: A digital signal recording disc has a first area and a second area. The second area differs from the first area. The first area stores a first-channel digital audio signal and a second-channel digital audio signal. The first-channel digital audio signal results from quantizing a first-channel analog audio signal with a first quantization bit number. The second-channel digital audio signal results from quantizing a second-channel analog audio signal with a second quantization bit number. The second area stores information of the first and second quantization bit numbers.

Abstract: An encoder & decoder unit for encoding data to be recorded has a data-supply-start-signal-generating circuit for generating an ATTX signal requesting that an operation to supply the data to be recorded to the encoder & decoder unit be started by counting 88.5 frames starting at detection of the rising edge of a 1F•START signal by an address decoder. The encoder & decoder unit also includes a laser-power-switching-signal-generating circuit for generating an ATRECP signal making a request for switching of a laser power by counting 49 frames starting at detection of the rising edge of an FD•START signal by the address decoder. A system controller thus needs to generate an RECXPB signal requesting that a recording operation from the next cluster be started only at a precision of about 2 seconds with respect to the period of 1 cluster.

Abstract: There are times when an abnormal light emission occurs and damage the medium when updating the setting register of the pulse width or the laser driving current during recording operation in an optical information recording and reproducing device. There are thus provided a plurality of pulse width setting registers for setting the pulse width of the multi-pulse emissions. When updating the pulse width of the multi-pulse, the pulse width setting register is changed and then the recording operation is performed, and at the time to change the pulse width setting register during recording, the generation of recording pulse train is stopped.

Abstract: There is disclosed an information reproducing apparatus and an information recording apparatus in which information transfer is possible by an information amount unit different from a sector unit, so that a burden on a host apparatus is lightened, waste of transfer time is avoided, and information protection level is raised. In a magnetooptic disk drive 10 which serves as both the information reproducing apparatus and the information recording apparatus, non-sector unit information is designated as reproducing information, information for the integer number of sectors including the non-sector unit information is reproduced from a magnetooptic disk 20, and only the non-sector unit information is outputted to a host computer 30.

Abstract: During the recording of packetized data streams with a low bit rate, the packets are stored in data blocks having a constant size. Time stamps are used for the addressing of the data blocks, which time stamps describe the time duration which, in the case of the bit rate respectively present, is necessary for complete filling of a data block. A maximum time duration is prescribed, which corresponds to complete filling of a data block in the case of a predetermined minimum value of the bit rate. In the case of the minimum value of the bit rate being undershot, the last packet, in the time window of the maximum time duration of a data block, is not stored in this data block but rather in the subsequent data block.

Abstract: For mapping sampled digital audio information onto a linear physical mapping space that is partitioned in a string of uniform-sized blocks, in particular for variable-rate coded audio information that is distributed over successive audio units which are each composed from one or more audio packets, each block is supplemented with a block header for indicating an actual content of the block in question with respect to any constituent packet of the audio information.

Abstract: An apparatus for writing block data, which includes a plurality of sectors, to a recording medium. The apparatus includes a controller for generating the block data and writing the block data to the recording medium. The controller performs a padding process on final block data when the final block data is written to the recording medium. The controller includes a padding processing unit for generating padding process data. The generation of the padding process data with the controller reduces the load of a processing unit that controls the controller.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for generating a calibration sequence of multilevel symbols includes generating subsequences of digital values selected from a range of digital values using a maximal length shift register. The subsequences have a given subsequence length. The range of digital values is mapped onto a set of multilevel symbols and the multilevel symbols corresponding to the generated digital values are output to a write strategy processor.

Abstract: This invention provides an information recording medium, and a method and apparatus for writing to/reading from a recording medium in which a starting point of a spare area is variable relative to a starting point of a data area. Information concerning a variable boundary between the data area and the spare area is stored on the recording medium. A method and apparatus for writing/reproducing data to/from the recording medium is also provided. In a preferred embodiment, the recording medium is an optical disc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a record carrier and a method and a recording apparatus for recording thereon. Information is recorded on the record carrier in units of recording blocks (RBx). Two successive and adjacent recording blocks are linked by a data linking area comprising a prost-amble field (PoA), two guard fields (G1, G2) and a pre-amble field (PrA). On the record carrier according to the invention, the recording blocks, or alternatively the guard fields, are recorded such that the data linking area does not comprise any gap area. This allows for less disturbance of the signal obtained from scanning the record carrier and for an increased of the storage capacity of the record carrier.

Abstract: A recording apparatus, a recording method, and a recording medium, which allows a search operation based on a second segment information signal representing finely divided segments of a recording signal even in a player which can perform only a searching operation of a first segment information signal representing large segments of the recording signal. When a change of the second segment information signal of a signal to be recorded is detected, the first segment information signal being formed is updated and the first segment information signal is recorded together with an audio signal. That is, the second segment information signal of the signal to be recorded is converted into the first segment information signal and recorded together with the audio signal.

Abstract: A frame density ratio between a RAM area and a ROM area is set to be a numerical value close to a data density ratio between the RAM area and the ROM area and to be a simple ratio of integers ROM data is subjected to RLL (2, 7) modulation as is a prepit address of RAM data, and dcc of 6 channel bits is inserted after each unit of the ROM data. Frame sync (FS) of 48 channel bits is added at the front of ROM recording frames, while postamble (PO) is added at the end of the ROM recording frames so as to adjust frame length Although data of 156 bytes can be recorded in a single ROM recording frame, data of 155 bytes is recorded in the ROM recording frame as in a RAM data frame. Thus, structure of data higher than that in an ECC format is made to be the same as that of the RAM data.

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: The object of the present invention is to provide an optical recording/reproducing method and apparatus that accurately record data blocks onto an optical disk in a seamless formation while effectively reducing the deterioration of recording properties of the disk. The recording properties of the disk may deteriorate when data is repeatedly written to a same data block of the disk. In the optical recording/reproducing method and apparatus of the invention, a read clock signal is generated in response to recorded data on an optical storage medium. A write clock signal is generated in response to a position information carrying signal detected from the storage medium. A phase difference between the read clock signal and the write clock signal is detected when writing data blocks to the storage medium in a seamless formation. It is determined whether a phase of the write clock signal is delayed or advanced based on the phase difference.

Abstract: In playing back data in an optical disk device, to perform high-speed data playback with a low number of playback retries even if an error occur when data is being read. In reading data composed of ECC blocks, if a data error occurs during a read operation, the data from sectors for which PI error correction can be performed is left alone. Playback retries using different playback conditions are performed just on the sectors for which PI error correction can be performed. Thus, the playback retry count can be reduced.

Abstract: A video disk recorder has a function for carrying out a linking on an optical disk and contains a predetermined data building-in circuit for supplying a predetermined fixed data as a playback data. Upon linking, a linking point is placed in a CPM area on the optical disk and the fixed data is recorded in this CPM area. Upon playback of the CPM area in which the linking is carried out, the fixed data supplied from the predetermined data building-in circuit is read out as the playback data.

Abstract: In a digital modulation method, digital data is supplied to a conversion table, and the digital data is converted into serial data. The serial data is supplied to a first fixed contact of a selector and is switched to data for a sync pattern from a sync pattern table, the sync pattern being supplied to a second fixed contact. From the selector, 93-data serial data including the 2-data sync pattern at the head thereof is extracted. The serial data is supplied to an exclusive-OR circuit, and the exclusive-OR output is fed back through a delay circuit, thereby generating NRZI data to be recorded. A digital sum value (DSV) of the NRZI data varies in accordance with the selection of conversion tables. The DSV is arbitrarily controlled, and sub-information is inserted by performing the control in a predetermined format.

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 playback apparatus for reading a record carrier includes a drive unit for sending out audio sectors that were recorded on the record carrier, an ID extractor for extracting the ID codes of the audio sectors that were sent out by the drive unit, a retrieval controller for receiving the ID codes extracted by the ID extractor, and a sector data extractor for receiving data fields of the audio sectors that were sent out by the drive unit. The sector data extractor is controlled by the retrieval controller to extract the data fields of appropriate ones of the audio sectors when the ID codes thereof are recognized by the retrieval controller as belonging to a selected one of the audio programs.

Abstract: A header in which an address signal has been recorded is provided on the disc every predetermined sector interval. Recording data is arranged in an error correction encoding block and the error correcting process is performed. The error correction encoding block is divided into a plurality of portions in a predetermined direction, thereby forming sectors S1, S2, S3, . . . . The data of each sector is recorded subsequent to the header. Upon reproduction, the header is detected and the data is reproduced every sector. One of the error correcting processes is performed in the reproduced data in the sectors S1, S2, S3, . . . . In the case where errors cannot be corrected by the error correcting process in the reproduced data in the sector, the error correction block including the sectors S1, S2, S3, . . . is reproduced and the error correcting processes are performed in the sequences in two directions.

Abstract: A recording device that can continuously record information data onto a plurality of information media without recording any particular information pertaining to continuous recording and without losing any information data is disclosed. The device records identical information overlapping onto two separate media for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disc drive system that includes a digital signal processor for processing information sectors read from a CD media. The digital signal processor is configured to parse the information sectors into data frames and subcode frames. A data auto-start unit for triggering a data transfer to a buffer memory when a desired data frame is detected. A subcode auto-start unit for triggering a subcode transfer to the buffer memory when a desired subcode frame is detected. Preferably, the desired data frame and the desired subcode frame have a same MSF. The disc drive system further includes a buffer manager having a plurality of counters that are configured to track the number of data frames and the number of subcode frames being transferred to the buffer memory, and releasing a block including one of the data frames and one of the subcode frames when the counters indicate that the block is complete.

Abstract: A process for recording and playing audio, video and/or data signals simultaneously from a recording medium includes the steps of initially acquiring a plurality of audio, video and/or data signals. Incremental temporal segments of each signal are taken and assembled into a single composite data frame in memory, and the composite frame is recorded in a permanent or erasable recording system. For example, the first 100 ms of each signal comprises the first incremental temporal segments, and all of these first segments of all signals are recorded in a predetermined order in the first composite frame. The second composite frame consists of the second 100 ms segments of the same signals, which are recorded in the same order as the first composite frame. This process is reiterated until the entire lengths of all of the signals are recorded in such composite frames.

Abstract: There is disclosed an information reproducing apparatus and an information recording apparatus in which information transfer is possible by an information amount unit different from a sector unit, so that a burden on a host apparatus is lightened, waste of transfer time is avoided, and information protection level is raised. In a magnetooptic disk drive 10 which serves as both the information reproducing apparatus and the information recording apparatus, non-sector unit information is designated as reproducing information, information for the integer number of sectors including the non-sector unit information is reproduced from a magnetooptic disk 20, and only the non-sector unit information is outputted to a host computer 30.

Abstract: An optical disc is disclosed, having tracks formed in a spiral shape or a concentric circle shape, each of the tracks being radially divided into a plurality of zones, data being recorded and/or reproduced at different angular velocities in the individual zones in such a manner that the angular velocity in the same zone is the same, wherein a buffer area is formed at a zone boundary, and wherein at least one pit portion is formed in the buffer area so that the pit portion is almost radially adjacent to a pit portion of a zone on the inner periphery side and a pit portion of a zone on the outer periphery side.

Abstract: User data is recorded in a recording medium while being linked in units of a fixed length packet, and information indicative of this fact is written to the recording medium. At the time of reading the user data, the position of data linking block can be detected by making reference to the identification information, whereby the excessive run-out blocks which would be otherwise requisite to detect the position of the data linking block are made unnecessary. At the time of data linking, a part where data in the run-in block is missing is filled with correct data, thus the run-in block can correctly be read, whereby the excessive run-in blocks which would otherwise be requisite are made unnecessary.

Abstract: A frame number correction signal generating circuit generates a control signal for correcting a frame number counter in the unit of two frames based on an out-of-sync. signal output from an out-of-sync. detection circuit and the least significant bit of a frame number output from a frame number detection circuit. The frame number counter corrects the frame number in the unit of two frames according to a control signal supplied from the frame number correction signal generating circuit. Therefore, the continuity of two frames constituting one row of ECC block can be maintained and a lowering in the correction ability of the error correction circuit can be prevented.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disc drive system that includes a digital signal processor for processing information sectors read from a CD media. The digital signal processor is configured to parse the information sectors into data frames and subcode frames. A data auto-start unit for triggering a data transfer to a buffer memory when a desired data frame is detected. A subcode auto-start unit for triggering a subcode transfer to the buffer memory when a desired subcode frame is detected. Preferably, the desired data frame and the desired subcode frame have a same MSF. The disc drive system further includes a buffer manager having a plurality of counters that are configured to track the number of data frames and the number of subcode frames being transferred to the buffer memory, and releasing a block including one of the data frames and one of the subcode frames when the counters indicate that the block is complete.