Abstract: A control system for a tape drive that uses position error signals (PESs) generated by a tape head assembly of the tape drive during longitudinal movement of a tape through the drive to dynamically adjust a lateral and/or angular position of tape to enhance tape drive performance (e.g., the ability of a tape head assembly to precisely follow one or more data and/or servo tracks on the tape). In one arrangement, the PESs and/or PES metrics are used as feedback into the system to steer the tape by moving one or more tape path guides until subsequently generated PESs or PES metrics have been optimized or have at least moved back into an acceptable range or to acceptable levels. The disclosed control system facilitates achieving increased stringencies on PES minimization that come with increased tape drive magnetic track densities.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a patterned magnetic storage medium is disclosed herein. The magnetic storage medium includes a pattern formed on a substrate. The pattern includes at least a first and second feature and an edge defined between the first and second features. Additionally, the magnetic storage medium includes a magnetic layer formed on the pattern. The magnetic layer includes grains separated by a non-magnetic segregant boundary. The segregant boundary is positioned above the edge of the pattern.

Abstract: An information recording medium that can be rapidly finalized, and a recording/reproducing apparatus and method using the same are provided. In the information recording medium, a prepit is pre-formed in a finalization area. Since the portion that has to be filled with data in finalizing the information recording medium is previously formed as the prepits series in manufacturing the information recording medium, the time necessary to finalize the information recording medium can be shortened, thereby achieving the rapid finalization of the medium.

Abstract: A wire rope tester including a magnetic testing device; the wire rope tester includes a Remote Data Recorder mounted on a sensor head of the magnetic testing device.

Abstract: A method of controlling a dynamic system including selecting at least one fundamental limiting parameter; selecting an input parameter of the dynamic system; generating a command for the input parameter causing the dynamic system to follow an output trajectory such that the fundamental limiting parameter does not substantially saturate during the output trajectory duration; and commanding the dynamic system with the command.

Abstract: A method for copy protection in which an audiovisual or audio data is divided into a plurality of portions. The plurality of portions is at least partly scrambled and prepared so as to be stored on a record carrier in the scrambled order. This is done so that a physical position on the record carrier, e.g., a sector of the record carrier, where a respective portions of the divided data is stored depends on the scrambled order.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a circuit for generating a signal has an amplifier, first and second detection circuits, first and second A/D converters, and a digital signal processing circuit. The amplifier amplifies an electric signal corresponding to an intensity of a reflected light from an optical disc. The first detection circuit detects an upper envelope of an output signal from the amplifier, and outputs an upper envelope signal. The second detection circuit detects a lower envelope of an output signal from the amplifier, and outputs a lower envelope signal. The first A/D converter converts the upper envelope signal into a first digital signal. The second A/D converter converts the lower envelope signal into a first digital signal. The digital signal processing circuit performs calculation processing of the first and the second digital signals, and outputs a signal for controlling reproduction of data recorded on the optical disc.

Abstract: A token value is maintained based on an allowable number of low power transitions of a hard disk drive without adversely affecting reliability, compared to an actual number of low power transitions of said hard disk drive. The allowable number of low power transitions increases over the hard disk drive's lifetime. Before the hard disk drive performs a low power transition, the token is evaluated to determine if the hard disk drive is allowed to perform a low power transition. Low power transitions discussed include parking the head and spinning-down the hard disk drive.

Abstract: In a method for recording information on an information recording medium having a data recording area for storing user data and a test area used for test recording by a recording apparatus, it is detected whether the test area is unusable when executing the test recording. The test recording is executed in the test area when the test area is detected not to be unusable, or executed in the data recording area when detected to be unusable. Management information relating to the test recording executed in the data recording area is recorded in a predetermined area. Hence, it is possible to eliminate a limit of number of times of test recording which depends on the size of the test recording area.

Abstract: A CPP spin-valve magnetic head, according to one embodiment includes a ferromagnetic free layer having a bias-point magnetization nominally oriented in a first direction; a ferromagnetic reference layer film having a bias-point magnetization nominally oriented in a second direction that is not orthogonal to the said first direction; and a tunnel barrier layer between the free and reference layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for sending data in an optical disc drive capable of changing mode. In one embodiment of the present invention, if a read command is received from a host connected, whether an address included in the command indicates a file system area of a predetermined file system can be checked; and if the address included in the command is found to belong to the file system area, data converted according to the predetermined file system from file information about files recorded in an optical disc can be sent to the host.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for writing data on a multilayer optical disc with N information storage layers (where N is an integer and N?2). The kth deepest one (where k is an integer and 1?k?N) of the storage layers of the multilayer optical disc is called a kth information storage layer.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a method of operating a magnetic tape drive, a magnetic tape drive and a servo control system are provided for obtaining and maintaining velocity control in a magnetic tape drive. In one embodiment, a method is provided for operating a magnetic tape drive. The tape drive includes a plurality of DC motors, and each DC motor has a plurality of Hall sensors. The DC motors are under the control of a servo system which is configured to read location information from the magnetic tape, and compute a primary tape velocity from the location information, and sense a secondary and tertiary velocity signal and compute a tape velocity based on one of the sensed secondary velocity signal and tertiary velocity. The method includes detecting if the primary velocity location information is available. In response to detecting that the primary velocity location information is available the primary velocity is employed to control the servo system.

Abstract: A write channel for a hard disk drive has a write current with a programmably adjustable rise time, and includes first and second analog write data signal paths having respective resistive nodes. First and second programmable capacitors are connected to the resistive nodes, whereby changes in capacitance of the first and second capacitors changes the rise time of the write current. A programmer selectively programs the first and second programmable capacitors. The rise time programmed is selected to provide a decreased bit error rate of an on-track write process and reduced adjacent-track interference.

Abstract: Example embodiments provide various techniques for playing data from an optical media drive. The optical media drive may detect certain media access information for use in accessing optical media. This media access information is stored a non-volatile memory. The optical media drive then retrieves the media access information from the non-volatile memory once the optical media drive is reactivated after deactivation. The optical media drive may then read from the optical media using the provided media access information.

Abstract: Frequency response is characterized for mechanical components of a multirate system operating in a closed-loop environment. A disturbance is injected at the frequency of interest and at each of the alias frequencies thereof as an input into the multirate system, and a matrix equation composed of resulting measurements of the response of the multirate system is solved to compute the frequency response at the frequency of interest and at each of the alias frequencies. The resulting frequency response can be used to synthesize the transfer function of the entire system, which allows simulation and evaluation of the relative performance of multiple controller designs without the need for further frequency response measurements.

Abstract: A technique capable of realizing a power saving in a device for reproducing/recording digital signals by properly controlling a frequency of a clock. The device for reproducing/recording digital signals (device for reproducing an optical disk) includes: a difference comparing circuit for comparing a first parameter (demodulating block counter) updated each time a process for one correcting block is done in a demodulating circuit with a second parameter (error correcting block counter) updated each time a process of one correcting block is done in an error correcting circuit; and a circuit (clock controlling circuit etc.) for switching a frequency of a master clock (MCLK) depending on a comparison result of the difference comparing circuit. Thereby, the frequency of the clock can be switched both of when the demodulation for one correcting block is ended and when the correcting process for one correcting block is ended by using the switched master clock.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a servo processing circuit comprises a correlation filter and a Lagrange interpolator peak detector coupled to the correlation filter. The correlation filter is operable to receive a first signal as input; correlate the first signal with a reference signal; and produce a second signal as output, wherein the second signal indicates a correlation between the first signal and the reference signal. The Lagrange interpolator peak detector is operable to receive the second signal as input; detect one or more peaks in the second signal; and produce a third signal as output, wherein the third signal indicates one or more peak locations of the peaks in the second signal.

Abstract: A real-time gain identification system for a mechatronic system, such as a servo system, including at least two actuators is provided. In an example implementation, a servo system comprises a primary actuator and a piezoelectric secondary actuator. A controller generates a disturbance for one of the actuators that is compensated for (e.g., canceled) using another actuator. In one implementation, a gain of the actuator at an arbitrary time is calculated based upon a comparison of a signal used to compensate for the disturbance (e.g., cancel the disturbance) at that arbitrary time to a signal known to compensate for a disturbance (e.g., cancel the disturbance) under known conditions. For example, a gain may be determined based on a ratio of a signal used to cancel a disturbance at an arbitrary point to a signal known to cancel the disturbance under known conditions. Similar methodologies can be applied in other mechatronic systems with multiple actuators.

Abstract: An alternative time interval is taken of a timing based servo band to determine lateral position of a servo read head. The servo band is arranged in a sequence bursts with non-parallel servo stripes in sequentially adjacent sub-frames of a linear tape. The timing intervals comprise at least a first time interval (A) between a first pair of non-parallel servo stripes of a sub-frame; and an alternative time interval (C) between a pair of non-parallel servo stripes intermediate the first time intervals (A), the alternative interval servo stripes of sequentially adjacent sub-frames comprising a second servo stripe of the first pair, and a first servo stripe of a sequentially succeeding first pair. Position signals are ratios involving the first and second time intervals.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide an optical disc controller and an optical disc drive system which reduce the proceeding time for supplementing data that is deficient at the time of writing to the optical disc. The present invention relates to an optical disc controller and a optical disc drive system. An optical disc controller includes an interface circuit, a buffer, a memory manager, an ECC circuit, a modulation circuit, and an operation processor. The memory manager has a control register part, a copy transfer controller, and a buffer controller. The control register part further includes a copy sector number setting register for taking out and holding information of plural sector numbers of deficient data from a control signal of the operation processor. The copy transfer controller successively conducts copy transfer process for plural sector numbers based on the sector number information.

Abstract: A tape library control apparatus includes a storage for storing configuration information, a diagnostic evaluator, and a command controller. A tape library apparatus includes may include a plurality of tape drives and a plurality of magnetic tapes which includes specific magnetic tapes assigned for respective pieces of data specified by each data request issued by a host computer and a common magnetic tape provided for writing the respective pieces of the data. The diagnostic evaluator determines a use mode of the tape library apparatus on the basis of the configuration information. When the total number of the specific magnetic tapes is higher than the number of available tape drives, the use mode is determined and a command is issued to the tape library apparatus from the command controller to write data to the specific magnetic tape and to write to the common magnetic tape the respective pieces of the data.

Abstract: A technique for rate verification of an incoming serial alignment sequence includes receiving an incoming serial stream. A determination is then made as to whether an align sequence is recognized in the incoming serial stream. When an align sequence is recognized, a check is made to determine if an appropriate number of align primitives are received during a predetermined number of clock periods. If the number of received align primitives matches the predetermined number, then a rate-verified align detect signal is asserted.

Abstract: A computer readable medium, apparatus, and method for efficiently managing a space bitmap. A computer readable medium includes: a user data area on which user data is recorded; and a temporary disc management area on which a space bitmap indicating a recording status of recording and reproducing unit blocks of the user data area is recorded. The space bitmap includes header information for distinguishing an additional space bitmap from the space bitmap. The additional space bitmap is assigned when a space provided for the space bitmap is insufficient to represent the recording status of the recording and reproducing unit blocks of the user data area.

Abstract: A controller of an optical storage apparatus for generating a plurality of control signals is provided. The controller includes a code generator implemented for determining a plurality of control codes according to an input data associated with data recording, and generating the control signals to deliver the control codes. Each of the control codes represents one power level. Besides, regarding each of the control signals, a minimum transmission pulse length thereof corresponds to more than one power symbol period.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus includes an optical pickup including: a light source; an objective lens for converging a light flux emitted from the light source and forming an optical spot on an information recording plane of an optical disc; and an optical modulation unit divided into a plurality of areas for modulating an area containing a main beam of the light flux to change a shape of the optical spot, wherein data is reproduced by converting a reproduction signal read from the optical disc with the optical pickup into an NRZI signal of a predetermined modulation rule by a PRML method. An optical spot shape, laser power setting and PRML setting are changed with each optical disc and each drive operation state.

Abstract: A storage library is described including a first tape drive that is identified as a target tape drive to a host via a first address and a second tape drive that is masked from being identified by the host. The storage library further includes a controller that is linked with a switch system that shifts the first address to the second tape drive, from the first tape drive, such that after the shift, the second drive is identified as the target drive to the host and the first tape drive is masked from being identified by the host.

Abstract: A data storage system with a controller that receives shock data from a shock detection sensor and methods utilizing such a controller are provided. The data storage system controller receives information or signals regarding shock events from a shock sensor, enabling the data storage system controller to take remedial action. The particular remedial action taken may be dependent on the severity of the detected shock event. The data storage system controller may receive information regarding shock events from shock sensors provided separately from the data storage system controller, allowing the data storage system controller to take remedial action that is tailored to the locale of a shock event.

Abstract: The objective of this invention is to provide a motor control device, and a disk drive device using the same, in which during emergency operation it is possible to supply necessary power to the motor while limiting enlargement of the circuit area. During the retraction operation, control is performed to alternate between a short-circuit mode in which each terminal U, V, W of the spindle motor Ml is short-circuited to the terminal ICOM, and a rectifying mode in which the back electromotive force of the spindle motor M1 is rectifies and output to the power supply line ISO3V, VGND while the input of power from the power supply line ISO3V, VGND to the spindle motor M1 is blocked.

Abstract: An optical writing device and methods and computer programs for writing data on an optically recordable medium are provided. One embodiment is a method for writing data on an optically recordable medium. One such method comprises: pre-heating a writing location on a recordable medium using a heat source to a temperature below a writing threshold temperature of the recordable medium; and writing on the writing location using a laser source by raising the temperature of the recording location above the writing threshold temperature.

Abstract: A method of loading an optical record carrier into an optical drive is disclosed. The method comprises using a subset of a set of initial startup procedures for subsequent startups, the set of initial startup procedures comprising procedures that the optical drive requires to start recording or reading the optical record carrier. The method is useful for CD, DVD, HD-DVD and BD recorder and/or players. The method reduces the disc startup time and enhances the user satisfaction index.

Abstract: A storage disk drive motor 12 includes a stator unit 2, a rotor unit 3, a shaft 41 arranged in a coaxial relationship with a center axis 9, a sleeve unit 22 including a flange portion 223, and a base member 21, having a through-hole, fixed to the sleeve unit 22 by caulking. The flange portion 223 includes a flange lower surface 223b making contact with an upper surface 21a of the base member 21 and a jut 24 protruding downwards from a radial inner side of the flange lower surface 223b. The jut 24 includes a first outer circumferential surface 241 opposed to the inner circumferential surface 21c of the base member 21, a second outer circumferential surface 242 positioned below the first outer circumferential surface 241, and a groove 243 radially inwardly indented from the first outer circumferential surface 241 and the second outer circumferential surface 242.

Abstract: An information recording device that offers high performance with an inexpensive structure is achieved without requiring a dedicated line for transmitting and receiving control data. The information recording device (1105) is a device for outputting a recording control signal to a laser drive device (1106) for driving a laser light source device to record information to an optical disk, comprising a recording data generation component (1206), a control data generation component (1207), an output component (1205), and a control component (1301). The recording data generation component (1206) generates recording data including information to be recorded to the optical disk, the control data generation component (1207) generates control data that controls the laser drive device (1106). The output component (1205) outputs the recording control signal in which the recording data and the control data are multiplexed.

Abstract: A media processing device can identify particular attributes of the recording media, such as the type of recording medium, and can sort by attribute a plurality of intermingled recording media including recording media that may or may not have been previously used and recording media of uncertain type.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a recording medium drive includes a housing, a recording medium, a head actuator member stored in the housing reciprocatably about a shaft, and facing the recording medium at one end, a load tab on the end of the head actuator member, a ramp member fixed in the housing at an outer side of the recording medium, and defining a sliding surface that receives sliding of the load tab, a heater increasing a temperature of the ramp member based on a supplied driving current, a temperature sensor detecting a temperature inside the housing and outputting temperature information, a memory storing profiles of the driving current each set for a predetermined temperature range, and a control circuit supplying a predetermined value of driving current to the heater based on one of the profiles corresponding to the temperature information.

Abstract: A memory device is comprised of a magnetic structure that stores information in a plurality of domains of the magnetic structure. A write unit writes information to at least one of the plurality of domains of the magnetic structure by applying a write current to the magnetic structure in response to a control signal. A read unit reads information from at least one of the plurality of domains of the magnetic structure by applying a read current to the magnetic structure in response to the control signal. A domain wall movement control unit is coupled to a portion of the magnetic structure and moves information stored in the plurality of domains in the magnetic structure to other domains in the magnetic structure in response to the control signal. The write unit, the read unit and the domain wall movement control unit are all coupled to the same control signal line that provides the control signal.

Abstract: In data detection 5 from a storage medium carrying data in a storage layer with a corresponding drive or apparatus, a motor moves the medium and a motor control unit controls the position of the medium using a position signal. A reading unit reads the data from the medium and generates a readout signal. By using a sampling control signal, a data detection unit derives discrete data from the readout signal. According to the invention the data detection unit of the apparatus is coupled to the motor control unit. In particular, the sampling control signal is derived from the position signal, such that the value of the sampling control signal univocally depends on the position of the motor moving the medium.

Abstract: Method and control system for adapting the reproduction speed of a soundtrack to the text reading speed of a user. For this purpose, the moment when the reader reaches a point of reference in the text is recorded; a moment when his or her reading speed is calculated from the time elapsed on reaching the reference point and the data available on the length of text between reference points. When each reference point is passed a soundtrack of the text is reproduced depending on the calculated reading speed, and on prerecorded historical data on reading speed, and by means of shortening or lengthening of pauses, imperceptible for the reader, during the playing of the soundtrack. The text can be in a standard book or can be displayed on a programmed computer.

Abstract: An information recording medium (100) includes a recordable area (1) where data information is recordable, an advertisement area (2) where at least either of advertisement information and identification information for identifying the advertisement information, and control area (3) where control information necessary to record the data information in the recordable area or necessary to record the data information at a rate higher than a predetermined recording rate is recorded readably on condition that the advertisement information is reproduced. With this, information recording media such as DVDs where, for example, data information is recordable can be widely used by enhancing the motivation of the users to reproduce advertisement information.

Abstract: An information recording medium is at least composed of a substrate having a microscopic pattern constituted by a continuous substrate of grooves formed with a groove portion and a land portion alternately, a recording layer formed on the microscopic pattern for recording information, and a light transmitting layer formed on the recording layer. The microscopic pattern is formed with satisfying a relation of P??/NA, wherein P is a pitch of the land portion or the groove portion, ? is a wavelength of reproducing light for reproducing the recording layer, and NA is a numerical aperture of an objective lens. The land portion is formed with wobbling so as to be parallel with each other for both sidewalls of the land portion. An auxiliary information based on data used supplementally when recording the information and a reference clock based on a clock used for controlling a recording speed when recording the information is recorded alternately.

Abstract: In a storage system including a host computer, and a disk control device connected to the host computer for communications therewith, and performs control over a disk device that stores therein data requested for writing from the host computer, for data transmission from a host interface section or a disk interface section to a memory section, when the data asked by a transmission source for storage is stored in a transmission destination, the transmission destination is put in a first mode for communications of forwarding a response back to the transmission source. With such a configuration, favorably provided is the storage system that offers a guarantee of reliability with the improved processing capabilities thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are a display apparatus and a control method thereof. The display apparatus includes a memory which stores contents with voice information; a voice output unit which outputs a voice; a voice storage which receives and stores a voice of a user; and a controller which controls the voice output unit to selectively output one of the voice information stored in the memory or the voice of a user stored in the voice storage when reproducing the contents.

Abstract: Provided is an information recording/reproduction apparatus including: a recording request receiving unit for receiving a recording request for recording information on an information recording medium including two or more recording layers; and a recording unit for recording the information by, limiting the number of recording layers including an area with information recorded thereon to a predetermined value N (N?0) or less with respect to other recording layers in which the light passes therethrough until light reaches an unrecorded area of a recording layer as a recording target. According to this configuration, it is possible to guarantee the recording quality of a multilayered information recording medium.

Abstract: A magnetic disk drive includes a switching regulator configured to generate an output voltage, and a magnetic disk control unit that receives the output voltage as a power supply and performs data write and read operations on a magnetic recording medium. The switching regulator includes a voltage conversion part configured to generate a second voltage by switching a first voltage, a smoothing part configured to smooth the second voltage to thus produce an output voltage, a control part configured to control the switching on the basis of a difference between the output voltage and a reference voltage to thus stabilize the output voltage, and a reference voltage changing part configured to change the reference voltage in accordance with an operation mode of the magnetic disk control unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is an information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus includes a first hard disk drive, a conversion circuit and a signal control circuit. The conversion circuit is connected with the first hard disk drive to determine whether a second hard disk drive corresponding to a slave exists when the first hard disk drive serves as a master, and the determine whether a first control signal has a first logic level in a first predetermined time.

Abstract: A device and method of reproducing and/or recording data onto a write once recording medium, the recording medium having a data area and a management area, the data area having a spare area. The recording method include: performing a replacement-recording by recording data requested to be recorded in a specified area onto a replacement area in the data area when the specified area is defective or contains data recorded thereon; and recording onto the management area a pair of consecutive entries for managing the replacement-recording when a size of the specified area corresponds to a plurality of consecutive recording-units. One of the pair of consecutive entries includes start address information of the specified area and start address information of the replacement area and another of the pair of consecutive entries includes end address information of the specified area and end address information of the replacement area.

Abstract: A recording medium having a spare area for defect management, and a method and apparatus for allocating and assigning the spare area. A plurality of zones are formed as one group without prescribing the relationship between a zone and a group. Spare areas include a spare area for slipping replacement and a spare area for linear replacement. The spare are for slipping replacement is first allocated, and the spare area for linear replacement is allocated according to the size of an area remaining after the spare area for slipping replacement is used and the purpose for which a disc is used. When the spare area for linear replacement becomes deficient during use of the disc, a supplementary spare area for linear replacement is allocated in sequence from the rearmost of a logical file area, such that the spare area can be more flexibly and effectively allocated.

Abstract: A write-once optical disc and a method and apparatus for recording management information on the optical disc are provided. The optical disc includes at least one recording layer and a plurality of temporary defect management areas (TDMAs) on the at least one recording layer. At least one of the TDMAs includes an indicator indicating which one of the TDMAs has an in-use status.

Abstract: A magnetic disk apparatus includes a computing unit that obtains data to be recorded on a magnetic disk and computes an intermediate bit length based on a longest bit length and a shortest bit length of bit lengths of the obtained data; an adjusting unit that adjusts a strength of a recording current for recording the obtained data based on a difference between the intermediate bit length and a bit length of the obtained data; and a recording unit that repeatedly detects an error rate for recording data by using the adjusted recording current while narrowing down a track width on the magnetic disk and records the obtained data with a track width corresponding to an error rate detected immediately before an error rate that is detected to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: An optical disk processing system having a recording unit and a printing unit is provided. The optical disk processing system comprises a printing unit and a recording unit. A drive controller of the recording unit rotationally drives a loaded optical disk (D) and detects whether or not a rotational speed is reduced during acceleration. When the rotational speed is reduced, it is judged that a stick-slip has occurred and loading of a plurality of the optical disks (D) is detected.