Abstract: A method of storing a data storage device includes but is not limited to emplacing a data storage device in a container, the container having surfaces; and writing storable data to the data storage device by transmitting energy through a surface of the container. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present application. Other methods and apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: A record carrier has information represented by high density read-only marks in a track. The read-only marks (74,75) are optically readable according to a predefined high-density data format such as CD or DVD via a beam of radiation by first variations of the radiation. The record carrier has a recordable layer (70) for writing recorded marks (72,73) in a recording area of the record carrier, which recording area extends over the track (9) carrying the read-only marks. The recordable layer (70) is arranged to generate second variations of the radiation by a difference between an unrecorded state and a recorded state. A recording device writes recorded marks on top of the read-only marks. A read device recovers the first and second variations, and detects the read-only marks and the recorded marks from a same part of the track.

Abstract: An optically detectable information recording medium is at least comprised of a substrate and a recording layer, wherein a surface of the recording layer opposite to another surface of the recording layer in contact with the substrate has a Root Mean Square roughness R? of less than 5 nm, and wherein the recording layer has highly reflective recording material selected from aluminum, silver, silicon, titanium, nickel, tantalum, molybdenium, iron, gold, copper, and their alloys.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multi-layered optical recording medium adapted to satisfy reflection factor required at the time of recording/reproduction of digital data based on the standards of CD (Compact Disc) and DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), wherein a first transparent base (12), a HD layer (11), a second transparent base (22) and a CD layer (21) are laminated in order; one semi-transparent layer (31) or more having reflection characteristic with respect to wavelength of a first reproduction signal and having transmission characteristic with respect to wavelength of a second reproduction signal is or are formed on the HD layer; a metallic film (23) having reflection characteristic with respect to wavelength of the second reproduction signal is formed on the CD layer, and total film thickness of the semi-transparent film or films is expressed as ?×m×?×n when wavelength of the second reproduction signal is ? and refractive index of the first transparent base is n (In this expression, 1.0???1.

Abstract: An optical disc drive includes: a light source; a focusing section; a focus shifting section for shifting the focal point of light by changing the position of the focusing section perpendicularly to a data storage layer of a given optical disc in accordance with a control signal; a light receiving section for receiving, at multiple areas, the light reflected from the data storage layer and generating light quantity signals; a signal generating section for generating a focus error signal based on the light quantity signals; and a control section for generating the control signal responsive to the focus error signal such that the focal point is transferred to a focus controllable range. The control section generates the control signal such that the focal point is decelerated at a first acceleration and then at a second acceleration. The absolute value of the second acceleration is smaller than that of the first acceleration.

Abstract: A read-only information storage medium having one or more recording layers and a method and apparatus reading/reproducing data, the read-only information storage medium having one or more recording layers, each layer containing a lead-in area, a user data area, and a lead-out area. The locations of the lead-in and lead-out areas may be fixed, and when an amount of user data recorded on the storage medium is less than a full capacity of the storage medium, data other than the user data is recorded on a space remaining after the user data has been recorded.

Abstract: An information storage medium having a plurality of information storage layers, each of which includes an optimal power control (OPC) area for obtaining an optimal recording condition, wherein OPC areas in odd-numbered and even-numbered information storage layers are disposed not to face each other and not to contact each other, or partially overlap each other and lock out use of the overlapped portion. Therefore, when an OPC area of one information storage layer performs OPC, this OPC does not affect another information storage layer.

Abstract: The magnetic recording medium of the present invention has a pattern formed using a pattern-forming agent in a laminate of multiple layers including a base material and a magnetic recoding layer, wherein the pattern is recognized on the surface of the laminate opposite to the base material, and the pattern-forming agent is distributed through the thickness of the laminate, wherein a region between the center of the magnetic recording layer and a magnetic recording-reading side of the laminate has an area having a density gradient of the pattern-forming agent which gradually declines in the direction from the center of the magnetic recording layer to the magnetic recording-reading side.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for recording data on an optical storage medium includes recording the data in a desired recording format regardless of the type of the optical storage medium. Accordingly, it is possible to record data in a recording format selected by a user. Also, since recording format information is recorded on the optical storage medium, it is possible to readily reproduce desired data from the optical storage medium in which data is recorded in various recording formats.

Abstract: A multi-layer disc medium includes two or more reproducing or recording and reproducing layers. One or more layers have a layer information area portion formed by at least a part of a circular path extending circumferentially of the layer. The circular paths have a center coincident with a center axis of rotation of the disc medium and are at substantially identical radial positions from the center axis of rotation of the disc medium. Layer information capable of identifying a layer concerned is disposed on at least the part of the circular path on the layer. By reading the layer information at an inter-layer transference, verification of an accessed layer can be performed simply and quickly, leading to a simple and quick inter-layer transference.

Abstract: An optically variable magnetic stripe assembly includes a magnetic layer, an optically variable effect generating layer over the magnetic layer, and an electrically non-conductive reflective layer between the magnetic layer and the optically variable effect generating layer.

Abstract: To provide an optical disk and an optical disk reproducing device capable of preventing sub information from being illegally copied and altered. An optical disk includes an optical disk substrate preliminarily provided with concave/convex recording marks in order to record the main information; and a reflection film which covers the optical disk substrate and of the which reflection coefficient is changed by irradiating laser light at or above a certain intensity, in which the reflection film is preliminarily provided with additional marks for recording the sub information by changing the reflection coefficient of the reflection film on a region where the concave/convex recording marks are formed and the sub information is recorded for every predetermined recording unit for recording the main information and the laser light at or above the certain intensity is irradiated onto the region where the sub information is recorded to thereby reproduce the main information and delete the sub information as well.

Abstract: In the present invention, an optical pick-up (4) applies an optical beam to an optical disc (2) on which one or more information recording layers (20A) and (20B) are laminated in the direction of thickness through an objective lens (34) and detects a reflected light from one of the information recording layers laminated on the optical disc. A first photodetecting part (81) for detecting the reflected light from the one information recording layer and a second photodetecting part (82) composed of one or more light receiving surfaces for detecting a stray light from other information recording layers are mounted on a light receiving element (52). The number of the information recording layers laminated on the optical disc (2) is discriminated on the basis of the intensity of the stray light detected by the second photodetecting part (82). The optical pick-up (4) is controlled in accordance with the discriminated number of the information recording layers before a focus is controlled.

Abstract: An information recording medium is provided, which comprises a plurality of recording layers and a first disc information area for storing parameters relating to access to the plurality of recording layers and formats relating to the plurality of recording layers. The first disc information area is provided in a first recording layer which is one of the plurality of recording layers.

Abstract: An information recording medium is provided, which comprises a plurality of recording layers and a first disc information area for storing parameters relating to access to the plurality of recording layers and formats relating to the plurality of recording layers. The first disc information area is provided in a first recording layer which is one of the plurality of recording layers.

Abstract: A multi-layered information recording medium including a plurality of recording layers, the multi-layered information recording medium comprising: a user data area for recording user data; and a plurality of spare areas including at least one replacement region, wherein when the user data area includes at least one defect region, the at least one replacement region may be used in place of the at least one defect region, wherein a first spare area of the plurality of spare areas is positioned so as to be contiguous to a first user data area of a first recording layer, a second spare area of the plurality of spare areas is positioned so as to be contiguous to a second user data area of a second recording layer, and the first spare area and the second spare area are positioned approximately at the same radial position on the multi-layered information recording medium.

Abstract: A multi-layered information recording medium including a plurality of recording layers, the multi-layered information recording medium comprising: a user data area for recording user data; and a plurality of spare areas including at least one replacement region, wherein when the user data area includes at least one defect region, the at least one replacement region may be used in place of the at least one defect region, wherein a first spare area of the plurality of spare areas is positioned so as to be contiguous to a first user data area of a first recording layer, a second spare area of the plurality of spare areas is positioned so as to be contiguous to a second user data area of a second recording layer, and the first spare area and the second spare area are positioned approximately at the same radial position on the multi-layered information recording medium.

Abstract: An information recording and reproducing apparatus records data on and reproduces data from each of a plurality of recording layers of a recording medium. A controller (7) controls a formatting process to format the recording medium (1) by performing a first formatting process on the data area of a recording layer. The first formatting process comprises formatting the data area in a series of recording increments that progress from the inner side of the data area to the outer side of the data area. Within each recording increment the formatting is performed along a path extending from the outer side of the data area to the inner side of the data area. A second formatting process on the data area of another recording layer once the first formatting process has been completed, the second formatting process being performed along a path extending from the inner side of the data area of the other recording layer to the outer side of the data area of the other recording layer.

Abstract: A multi-layered information recording medium including a plurality of recording layers, the multi-layered information recording medium comprising: a user data area for recording user data; and a plurality of spare areas including at least one replacement region, wherein when the user data area includes at least one defect region, the at least one replacement region may be used in place of the at least one defect region, wherein a first spare area of the plurality of spare areas is positioned so as to be contiguous to a first user data area of a first recording layer, a second spare area of the plurality of spare areas is positioned so as to be contiguous to a second user data area of a second recording layer, and the first spare area and the second spare area are positioned approximately at the same radial position on the multi-layered information recording medium.

Abstract: An information recording medium is provided, which comprises a plurality of recording layers and a first disc information area for storing parameters relating to access to the plurality of recording layers and formats relating to the plurality of recording layers. The first disc information area is provided in a first recording layer which is one of the plurality of recording layers.

Abstract: A recording medium of the recordable type in the form of a multi-layer disc or the like which is improved in compatibility and feasibility in use and a recording apparatus and a recording method ready for the recording medium are disclosed. A region for recording interlayer folding back position information is set on the recording medium (for example, “End sector number in Layer 0” or a session item type 3). In response to a fact that recording on a certain recording layer reaches a maximum recording range or that data recording advances from a certain recording layer to a next recording layer, interlayer folding back position information is recorded on the recording medium. This signifies that such recording is performed when advancement of the data recording to another recording layer is performed at a stage prior to disc closing or session closing or when it is predicted that such advancement of the data recording occurs soon.

Abstract: A multi-layered information recording medium comprising a plurality of recording layers, a user data area for recording user data, provided in at least two of the plurality of recording layers, and a defect list storing area for storing a defect list. When at least one defective area is detected in the user data area, the defect list is used to manage the at least one defective area.

Abstract: A recording method for recording data in basic reproduction unit to a recording medium having a first recording layer and a second recording layer, includes detecting a size of an unrecorded region of the first recording layer while recording data in the basic reproduction unit (ex. “Cell” unit) in the first recording layer, comparing the size of the unrecorded region of the first recording layer with a specified value (allowable maximum size of the basic reproduction unit, or size of data about to be recorded in the first recording layer), and stopping recording in the first recording layer at the boundary of the basic reproduction unit when the size of the unrecorded region is smaller than the specified value, and recording a subsequent data in the second recording layer.

Abstract: An information recording medium according to the present invention includes a plurality of recording layers, and a test area for determining a recording power of a laser light for each of the plurality of recording layers, in which a first test area of a first layer and a second test area of a second layer adjacent to the first layer are provided at different radial positions.

Abstract: An optical storage medium 100 has a multilayer structure that includes a photochromic layer 110 having a thermally-stable photochromic compound, and a fluorescent layer 120 having a fluorescent compound. The photochromic compound is transformable between a first form and a second form. The fluorescent compound has an excitation wavelength centered in a region that is not substantially absorbed by the second form of the photochromic compound, and an emission wavelength that is absorbed by the first form and not absorbed by the second form.

Abstract: Multi layer record carrier comprising compatibility information, and method for recording such compatibility information on a record carrier.

Abstract: A method for recording information in a rewritable optical disk having plural recording layers is disclosed. The method includes the steps of selecting either a first recording mode dedicated to recording the information in an order applicable for recordable type optical disks or a second recording mode dedicated to recording the information in an order applicable for read-only type optical disk, and recording the information in the rewritable optical disk in accordance with the selected recording mode.

Abstract: A multi-layered information recording medium comprising a plurality of recording layers, a user data area for recording user data, provided in at least two of the plurality of recording layers, and a defect list storing area for storing a defect list. When at least one defective area is detected in the user data area, the defect list is used to manage the at least one defective area.

Abstract: A multi-layered information recording medium comprising a plurality of recording layers, a user data area for recording user data, provided in at least two of the plurality of recording layers, and a defect list storing area for storing a defect list. When at least one defective area is detected in the user data area, the defect list is used to manage the at least one defective area.

Abstract: An optical recording medium including two or more recording layers which are capable of transmitting at a high transmittance recording light or reproducing light for performing recording/reproducing of a first recording layer (3) without having to make the thickness of a second recording film (5) positioned towards the side from which the recording light or the reproducing light enters. An optical recording medium including two or more recording layers, and which includes the first recording layer (3), the second recording layer (5) positioned further towards, with an intermediate layer (4) in between, the side from which the recording light or the reproducing light enters than is the first recording layer (3), and includes, between the above-mentioned intermediate layer (4) and the above-mentioned second recording layer (5), a dielectric layer (7) for increasing the transmittance for light passing through the above-mentioned second recording layer as the incident angle of the light becomes greater.

Abstract: A multi-layered information recording medium comprising a plurality of recording layers, a user data area for recording user data, provided in at least two of the plurality of recording layers, and a defect list storing area for storing a defect list. When at least one defective area is detected in the user data area, the defect list is used to manage the at least one defective area.

Abstract: An optical-pickup-adjustment optical disk used for adjusting or producing an optical pickup device, includes a transparent protective substrate; and an optical-pickup-adjustment middle-depth information recording layer formed on a side of an inside surface of the transparent protective substrate, wherein the optical-pickup-adjustment middle-depth information recording layer is formed to have a middle depth which is a center of the maximum depth of the maximum-depth information recording layer prescribed by the optical disk standard and the minimum depth of the minimum-depth information recording layer prescribed by the optical disk standard.

Abstract: A recording method, particularly suitable for use in a digital video-camera, is described according to which a digital signal (10), deriving from the encoding of an audio-video signal is temporarily stored in a buffer (11) and from there recorded on a dual layer DVD (12). The need for a layer jump occurs, independently from the current level of filling of the buffer, when a storage space associated to a first layer has been exhausted. In order to be able to store the digital signal in the buffer while the layer jump is accomplished, it is proposed to decrease the resolution in the encoding of the audio-video signal, so as to have the level in the buffer growing relatively slowly when the layer jump occurs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting operating conditions when shifting from a first layer to a second layer during recording of a dual layer DVD. During calibration of the first layer before recording, parameters for differential laser power and beta target between the two layers are obtained from information fields of the disk. The distance between the layers is measured. When shifting from layer one to layer two, the laser power and beta target for layer two are obtained by using the current values immediately before shifting with addition of the differential obtained during calibration. The focus signal is adjusted by adding the difference compensated for temperature deviations. The tilt signal is unamended. In this way, the shift between layer one and layer two can be performed fastly without separate calibration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of recording data on a dual-layer optical write-once disc (10), comprising the steps of: creating a first-layer video-data fragment (28) on a first layer (20) of the optical disc, the first-layer video-data fragment extending from a minimum first-layer video-data radius within a data zone of the disc to an outer radius within the data zone of the disc, the outer radius defining a layer boundary (38), creating a second-layer video-data fragment (40) on a second layer (22) of the optical disc, the second-layer video-data fragment extending from minimum second-layer video-data radius within the data zone of the disc to the layer boundary, writing video data (32) to the first-layer video-data fragment, starting from an inner radius of the disc up to a maximum first-layer video-data radius smaller than or equal to the layer boundary, writing video data to the second-layer video-data fragment, starting from the layer boundary, and if the maximum first-layer video-data ra

Abstract: An information storage medium having a plurality of information storage layers, each of which includes an optimal power control (OPC) area for obtaining an optimal recording condition. Optimal power control areas in odd-numbered and even-numbered information storage layers viewed from a direction in which light is incident upon the information storage medium are disposed one on another to not directly face each other. An actually usable area of an optimal power control area in each of the information storage layers varies depending on use circumstances of each of the information storage layers. Therefore, when an OPC area of one information storage layer performs OPC, this OPC does not affect another information storage layer. Also, an area of each of the information storage layers can be efficiently used.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes recording regions formed on a substrate, isolation regions formed between the recording regions so as to define the recording regions, and recording dots formed of a dot-like magnetic recording layer and arrayed in the recording regions, the recording dots including first recording dots arrayed in a line in each edge part of each recording region along the isolation region and second recording dots arrayed into a regular lattice in a central part of each recording region. A distance between a first recording dot and a second recording dot which are nearest neighboring is larger than a distance between second recording dots which are nearest neighboring.

Abstract: To provide an optical recording medium that includes a substrate and a multilayered recording layer disposed on or over the substrate and where information is recorded by irradiating the recording layer with a laser beam to cause change in its optical characteristics, wherein judgment information concerning a recording condition for the optical recording medium is previously recorded so as to be readable by irradiation with a laser beam.

Abstract: An information storage medium having a plurality of information storage layers, each of which includes an optimal power control (OPC) area for obtaining an optimal recording condition, wherein OPC areas in odd-numbered and even-numbered information storage layers are disposed not to face each other and not to contact each other, or partially overlap each other and lock out use of the overlapped portion. Therefore, when an OPC area of one information storage layer performs OPC, this OPC does not affect another information storage layer.

Abstract: An information storage medium and an apparatus for recording and/or reproducing the information storage medium capable of controlling optimal recording power without an influence of an optimal power control (OPC) area in a layer upon an OPC area in a different layer. The information storage medium includes at least one information storage layer including an optimal power control area for obtaining an optical recording condition. OPC areas in adjacent information storage layers are disposed within different radiuses of the information storage medium. Accordingly, even when the information storage medium is made eccentric or has a manufacturing error, a recording property of the information storage medium is prevented from being degraded due to an influence of an OPC area in an information storage layer upon an OPC area in an adjacent information storage layer.

Abstract: An information storage medium having a plurality of information storage layers, each of which includes an optimal power control (OPC) area for obtaining an optimal recording condition, wherein OPC areas in odd-numbered and even-numbered information storage layers are disposed not to face each other and not to contact each other, or partially overlap each other and lock out use of the overlapped portion. Therefore, when an OPC area of one information storage layer performs OPC, this OPC does not affect another information storage layer.

Abstract: An information storage medium and an apparatus for recording and/or reproducing the information storage medium capable of controlling optimal recording power without an influence of an optimal power control (OPC) area in a layer upon an OPC area in a different layer. The information storage medium includes at least one information storage layer including an optimal power control area for obtaining an optical recording condition. OPC areas in adjacent information storage layers are disposed within different radiuses of the information storage medium. Accordingly, even when the information storage medium is made eccentric or has a manufacturing error, a recording property of the information storage medium is prevented from being degraded due to an influence of an OPC area in an information storage layer upon an OPC area in an adjacent information storage layer.

Abstract: When there is a defect area in a specific recording layer, recording of information is continued to restrain reduction in a recording rate. In an optical recording method for recording information on a multilayer optical recording medium having a plurality of recording layers by irradiating the recording layer with a beam spot, when a defect area is detected while the information is recorded on a specific recording layer selected from the plurality of recording layers, an escape recording layer which is selected from among the other recording layers except for the specific recording layer is irradiated with the beam spot to continue recording the information.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for reproducing from a multi-layer optical information carrier (1), e.g. dual layer media like a DVD or BD disc. Initially, light (5) is focused at a first information layer (L1), where the first layer has a range of parameter settings (SL1) for optimized reproducing of information in a specific optical drive. Secondly, reflected light (8) from the carrier is detected, and subsequently information showing the actual information layer (L1 or LO) the light (5) is focused on is provided. Due to an error the light may be focused on a “wrong”, second information layer (LO), where the second layer has a range of second layer parameter settings (SLO) for optimized reproducing of information in the specific optical drive. The invention provides an improved recovery chance by changing at least one first layer parameter setting to the corresponding second layer parameter setting prior to performing the refocusing to the intended layer (L1).

Abstract: A next-generation optical recording medium has two or more information layers which include a translucent information layer. The translucent information layer has a recording film and an interface layer, provided adjacent to the recording film on the side of the light incident surface. The recording film is made of a phase change material having SbxTeyGez elements and elemental ratios. Y satisfies 5?y?15 and z satisfies 5?z?15. When In having an elemental ratio of a is further added and x+y+z+a=100 holds, a satisfies 4?a?15. The interface layer comprises of ZrO2—Cr2O3 film thickness of which is in a range of from 2 nm to 10 nm. When ZrO2:Cr2O3?C:D (mol %), the compositional ratios ZrO2 and Cr2O3 in the ZrO2—Cr2O3 film, holds, the C satisfies 20?C?90, and the D satisfies 10?D?80, and the C and the D satisfy C+D=100. The ZrO2 is stabilized ZrO2 which contains Y2O3, when ZrO2:Y2O3=(100-X):X (mol %), the compositional ratios ZrO2 and Y2O3 in the stabilized ZrO2, holds, the X satisfies 2?X?10.

Abstract: An optical recording medium has a multi-layer structure recording layer portion including plural recording layers provided with tracks for guiding a recording light and being adapted to record data, where recording condition information and recording layer identification information for the recording layers are recorded on the tracks as information signals. Test writing is conducted on a recording layer that is subject to recording to derive a suitable recording condition based on recording condition information that is recorded on the recording layer, and direct recording is conducted according to a direct recording condition.

Abstract: A reliable optical recording medium is provided which includes an information layer exhibiting small changes in the optical properties even during long-term storage. The optical recording medium includes the information layer including a recording film having an extinction coefficient of 0.4 or less at the wavelength of a laser beam used for recording and reproducing. The information layer further includes a light absorbing film having an extinction coefficient of 1.5 or less at the wavelength of the laser beam, and the extinction coefficient of the light absorbing film is greater than that of the recording film.

Abstract: A super resolution optical recording medium for preventing degradation of a reproducing signal, includes a substrate, a super resolution layer formed on the substrate, and having a super resolution aperture formed thereon. The super resolution aperture has a size smaller than a resolution limit of an emitted beam incident on the super resolution layer, and a recording layer disposed on a lower part or an upper part of the super resolution layer. A reaction temperature at which recording of the recording layer is performed, is higher than a super resolution temperature at which the super resolution aperture is formed. Accordingly, the degradation of the reproducing signal can be prevented remarkably improving the number of times information can be reproduced.

Abstract: An information recording medium is provided, which comprises a plurality of recording layers and a first disc information area for storing parameters relating to access to the plurality of recording layers and formats relating to the plurality of recording layers. The first disc information area is provided in a first recording layer which is one of the plurality of recording layers.

Abstract: A disclosed optical recording medium includes multiple recording layer units in each of which one or more recording layers and one or more middle layers are stacked alternately; and one or more spacer layers. In the disclosed optical recording medium, the recording layer units and the spacer layers are stacked alternately in a depth direction of the optical recording medium.