Abstract: A demodulation method comprises the steps of performing branch metric computation on each of columns of a modulation symbol; calculating column path metrics that are respective path metrics of column state values of modulation symbols; and calculating symbol path metrics that are respective path metrics of symbol state values of the modulation symbols.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a media drive having a normal operation mode and a power saving operation mode in which less power is consumed than in the normal operation mode, a control module configured to control the media drive, and a determination module configured to shift, when it is determined that the control module does not execute data access to the media drive for a predetermined period, the media drive from the normal operation mode to the power saving operation mode.

Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus (1) is provided with: an amplitude limiting device (151, 152) for obtaining an amplitude limit signal (RSLIM) by limiting an amplitude level of a read signal (RRF) read from a recording medium (100) on the basis of a predetermined amplitude limit value (L); a filtering device (153) for obtaining an equalization-corrected signal by performing a high-frequency emphasizing and filtering process on the amplitude limit signal; and an adjusting device (18) for variably adjusting a reference level which indicates a reference point of the amplitude level on the amplitude limiting device.

Abstract: Power consumption is calculated in accordance with an operation state of disk devices without using a power meter in a storage system. The power consumption in accordance with the operation state is calculated as follows. That is, information on the power consumption for every type of hard disks is stored in advance when types of I/O process (random/sequential of read and write) operate at idle time up to a limit state in every type of hard disks. A control unit of the storage system aggregates time waiting a response from the hard disks in every type of I/O process. The power consumption of the disks is calculated on the basis of the information on the power consumption stored in advance and a sum of the waiting time of the response from the hard disks.

Abstract: A time interval analyzer includes a phase comparator which decides whether a measured signal contains a delay quantity for either a positive delay or a negative delay relative to a characteristic value, and a processor circuit which outputs a ratio of a number of the measured signals containing the positive delay and a number of the measured signals containing the negative delay.

Abstract: An information processing device includes: a writing and erasing means for writing and erasing predetermined information to and from a predetermined recording area of a writable optical disc serving as a recording medium; an estimation information writing means for writing estimation information to the recording area to and from which the information is written and erased by the writing and erasing means; and an estimation means for reading the estimation information written to the recording area by the estimation information writing means and estimating a reproduced signal of the read estimation information.

Abstract: There is a need to prevent a possible erroneous detection of an off-track condition during recording to an optical disk. The above need can be addressed by, for example, determining an off-track condition has occurred when a light spot is located at least half-way from the track being recorded toward another track adjacent the track being recorded, and stopping a recording operation. In another example, the above need can be addressed by determining that off-track has occurred based on an output of a first off-track detector which detects that the light spot is off the track based on a wobble signal, an output of a second off-track detector which detects that the light spot is off the track based on a tracking error signal, and an output of a zero-cross detector which detects that the tracking error signal crosses zero based on an output of the tracking error signal.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a device includes a filter which limits a frequency bandwidth of a reproduced signal from an optical disc, an AD conversion module which converts an output signal from the filter into a multilevel digital signal, an equalizing module for equalizing a waveform of the multilevel digital signal based on a predetermined partial response class and generating an equalizing playback signal, a detection module for generating binary data corresponding to data recorded on the optical disc based on the equalizing playback signal, a module for determining an amplitude value of each of an input signal to and an output signal from the equalizing module with respect to each binary data sequence output from the detection module, and a module for adjusting a high-frequency amplification amount of the filter such that an amplitude value before waveform equalization and an amplitude value after waveform equalization satisfy a predetermined relationship.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus includes an emitter which emits a laser beam to a optical disc, a divided photodetector including a first dived portion and a second dived portion disposed in a light path of the reflected beam from the optical disc, and producing a first photodetector signal and a second photodetector signal, a phase difference detector which produces a phase difference signal from a phase difference between the first and the second photodetector signals, an integrator which produces a integral signal from a integration of the phase difference signal, a tracking controller configure to perform tracking control based on the integral signal, and a limiter which limits a signal to be supplied from the divided photodetector to the phase difference detector or a signal to be supplied from the phase difference detector to the integrator based on a detection status of a signal detected by the dived photodetector.

Abstract: In an information recording method, information is recorded to semiconductor memory when at least a specified amount of free space exists in the semiconductor memory. Information is recorded to magnetic memory when the free space in the semiconductor memory is insufficient but at least a specified amount of free space exists in the magnetic memory. Information is recorded to optical memory when the free space in both the semiconductor memory and the magnetic memory is insufficient. When retrieving recorded information, an access count is incremented, and information with a comparatively high access count is moved to the semiconductor memory, while information with a comparatively low access count is moved to the optical memory. Information is thus recorded to a recording medium suitably selected from among semiconductor memory, magnetic memory, and optical memory, thereby making effective use of each memory type.

Abstract: A multi-layer optical writable disc (D) comprises at least two layers (L1, L2, . . . ) and at least two defect management areas (DF1, DF2, . . . ). A first defect management area (DF1) is positioned on a first layer (L1) of the at least two layers at a first radial position (RP1), and a second defect management area (DF2) is positioned on a second layer (L2) of the at least two layers at a second radial position (RP2). The first radial position (RP1) and the second radial position (RP2) are different.

Abstract: A synchronization detecting circuit detects a synchronous signal from a reproduced signal of a recording medium in which a random shift method is employed. A window generator in the synchronization detecting circuit generates a third window having as a central phase one predicted phase in a second predicted coordinate that is obtained by replicating a first predicted coordinate indicating a predicted phase of each synchronous signal that repeatedly appears in the reproduced signal and having a phase width equivalent to twice a random shift width when the synchronous signal is not detected using a first window after the synchronous signal is detected using a second window by a synchronization detector.

Abstract: A method for detecting a mechanical shock affecting on optical disc drive based on using the Focus Error (FE) and/or the Tracking Error (TE) servo-loop signals. An shock detection signal is generated as weighted time-integral of the servo loop signal, for example by using the integral signal of the PID controller of the servo loop, or a low pass filter, or digital integration by a Digital Signal Processor (DSP). A shock is considered to be detected if the shock detection signal exceeds a threshold value. A method for recording data onto an optical disc and the corresponding optical disc drive are also disclosed. The shock signal is monitored real time and the recording is interrupted if a shock is detected. The recording is resumed by linking from the last recorded area when the shock signal becomes low again.

Abstract: A highly reliable optical disk apparatus adapted to record and reproduce the information in and from plural types of optical disks is disclosed. An acquisition unit acquires a predetermined signal from the reflected light obtained by radiating a predetermined laser on each of the optical disks. A comparator compares the waveform of the signal acquired by the acquisition unit with the comparative waveform of the signal stored in a memory beforehand and obtained from the radiated laser corresponding to the optical disk. An identification unit identifies the type of the optical disk based on the result of comparison by the comparator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording or reproducing data are discussed. According to an embodiment, the invention is directed to a method for recording data onto a recording medium having a recording layer, the recording layer including an inner area, a data area and an outer area, the data area having a user data area and a spare area, the user data area consisting of a plurality of clusters, the method comprising steps of: (a) recording a first data block having a temporary defect list for managing a defective area of the data area onto a temporary defect management area allocated in the inner area or the spare area; and (b) recording a second data block having a space bitmap onto the temporary defect management area.

Abstract: The write-once recording medium has a data structure for managing temporary defect management areas, TDMAs, of the recording medium, where each TDMA is for at least storing temporary defect management information. In one embodiment, the recording medium includes a TDMA access indicator, TAI, area for selectively storing data indicating which one of the TDMAs is currently in use.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a test writing method for seeking the optimum write power correctly and in a short time under a high speed recording condition in a test writing method and an information recording device for recording information by forming different marks from the unrecorded part by injecting energy onto the recording medium. To achieve the above object, even number length marks and odd number length marks are separately test written in the 2T strategy to seek the respective optimum write power. Due to the possibility of enhancing the precision of test writing, a good recording ability can be obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a controller for enabling replicating of media content from encoded content received, and a recorder responsive to the controller for recording content on media readable by a device other than said recorder.

Abstract: A storage device includes an access counter that counts the number of track changes or the number of accessed sectors in accessing the recording medium, an access judgment unit that judges whether the recording medium is accessed successively by a host, a count judgment unit that judges whether the count counted by the access counter has reached a predefined number of times when the access judgment unit judges that the recording medium is accessed successively, and an access delay unit. The access delay unit delays the access to the recording medium so that a transfer rate between the storage device and the host is adjusted to a predefined transfer rate when the count judgment unit judges that the number of the count has reached the predefined number of times.

Abstract: A tracking error signal is generated with stability without being easily affected by a distribution fluctuation of light reflected from an optical disc or by a lens shift. An optical disc drive according to the present invention includes: an objective lens 5 with an aperture radius r0 for converging a light beam emitted from a light source 1; a polarizing hologram substrate 2 for dividing the beam reflected from the optical disc 6 into branched light beams; a photodetector substrate 6, on which at least some of the light beams are incident to generate signals representing the intensities of the light beams; and a shielding mask 16 for cutting off the beam partially.

Abstract: Provided is a drive signal generating apparatus including: an arithmetic section that calculates an approximate expression to approximate variations of multiple detected values each representing one of a position of an optical pickup section and an amount of positional deviation of the optical pickup section with respect to a current target position, the position of the optical pickup section being sequentially detected when the optical pickup section moves stepwise toward multiple target positions set in advance on a drawing surface of a drawing target; and a drive signal generation section that generates a second drive signal synchronized with a first drive signal for causing the optical pickup section to move stepwise, the second drive signal having a signal value corresponding to an approximate value calculated by substituting a value associated with each of the multiple target positions into the approximate expression so as to move an optical component provided in the optical pickup section.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing data from a recording medium, including a reading unit configured to read control information from a specific area of the recording medium, the control information including playback speed information and a maximum transfer rate information specifying a maximum transfer rate needed by an application. The playback speed information is distinguished from the maximum transfer rate information and the playback speed is for suitably reproducing main data from the recording medium. Also included is a controller configured to control the reading unit and the recording medium with respect to driving and servo control in order to reproduce the main data recorded on a main data area of the recording medium in response to the playback speed information and/or the maximum transfer rate information.

Abstract: A semiconductor recording medium stores attribute management information for managing various attribute information on a content (genre, composer, artist, album, title, etc.) for each item; and sort management information managing information on a sort order when information managed by the attribute management information is sorted by a predetermined procedure. The attribute management information contains character data indicating items to be managed and pointer information indicating link relationship between the attribute management information. The sort management information contains information on the sort order when all the entries in each of attribute management information are sorted by a predetermined procedure for each of attribute management information.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a data reproducing device according to the invention includes a frequency difference detector, a phase comparator, a loop filter, an integrator, a first conversion part for converting a value of the integrator into a first conversion value, a second conversion part for converting the value of the integrator into a second conversion value, a first conversion table, a second conversion table, a first D/A converter (DAC), a second D/A converter (DAC), a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), and a prediction table. The value of the integrator and the first conversion value are associated with each other and stored in the first conversion table in consideration of the characteristics of the VCO. Meanwhile, the value of the integrator and the second conversion value are associated with each other and stored in the second conversion table in consideration of the characteristics of the VCO.

Abstract: A method of setting write strategy parameters includes recording predetermined data on a disk loaded in a disk drive using write strategy parameters stored in a memory; adaptively equalizing a reproduction signal obtained by reproducing the recorded predetermined data from the disk; Viterbi decoding the adaptively equalized signal using a reference level; generating an ideal reproduction signal using the predetermined data, the Viterbi decoded signal, and the reference level; detecting a difference between the adaptively equalized signal and the ideal reproduction signal; generating a selection signal using the predetermined data and the Viterbi decoded signal; processing the difference using a predetermined function to detect a write strategy feedback error; and updating the write strategy parameters stored in the memory at an address specified by the selection signal using the write strategy feedback error.

Abstract: Pulses that are generated from multiple analog input signals are sampled, and signal elements contained in the analog signals are extracted accurately using the said sampling pulses. Binarization circuits where analog input signals A, B, C, and D are converted into pulse signals; a logic operation circuit that generates a sampling pulse upon receiving the input of the 4 pulse signals; and a sample-and-hold circuit samples and holds an input RF signal based on the sampling pulse in order to extract accurately signal elements contained in said RF signal by means of sampling of the RF signal.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an optical disk apparatus comprises an optical pickup which irradiates an optical disk with a light beam and receives reflected light from the disk, and a driving module which drives the pickup. The driving module includes an error detector which detects a tracking servo error with respect to a recording track on the disk from an output signal of the pickup and a tracking control module which performs tracking control over the pickup based on a servo error signal from the error detector. The control module is configured to temporarily set a tracking servo to an OFF state upon switching from a reproduction state to a recording state, measure an offset of the servo error signal, perform offset correction for the offset with respect to the servo error signal, and restore the tracking servo to an ON state after the offset correction.

Abstract: A data recording apparatus recording data of a CD on an HDD in a manner such that the content of record in the CD is faithfully accounted for and shortening an operation time for a synchronized ripping operation. When the data recording apparatus reads, from the CD, track data managed by track, according to TOC, and records the track data onto the HDD, the data recording apparatus recognizes data unrecorded on the HDD, from among the track data recorded on the CD. This recognition process is automatically performed based on the TOC read from the CD, and album information replayed using the TOC and held by the HDD. The recording apparatus reproduces and outputs only the unrecorded data from the CD based on the recognition result concerning the unrecorded data. In this way, the data already recorded on the HDD is not transferred from the CD to the HDD. The operation time for the synchronized ripping operation is reduced accordingly.

Abstract: A recording medium, such as a high-density and/or read-only recording medium including a data area including at least two data sections and a linking area to link neighboring data sections, the linking area including dummy data, and to methods and apparatuses for forming, recording, and reproducing the recording medium.

Abstract: A write-once recording medium structure and an apparatus and method for recording final management information on the recording medium, are provided. The recording medium includes a temporary defect management area (TDMA) and a defect management area (DMA). The method includes transferring information recorded in the TDMA to the DMA of the recording medium and recording the transferred information in the DMA as final management information. The final management information includes at least one defect list and either space bit map information or sequential recording range information. The position information on one or all valid defect lists is recorded in the DMA.

Abstract: A disc with a temporary defect management information area and a defect management area includes a defect management area that is present in at least one of a lead-in area, a lead-out area, and an outer area, a temporary defect information area which is formed in the data area and in which temporary defect information is recorded, and a temporary defect management information area which is present in at least one of the lead-in area, and the lead-out area. Accordingly, it is possible to record user data in a recordable disc, especially, a write-once disc, while performing defect management thereon, thereby enabling efficient use of a defect management area having a limited recording capacity.

Abstract: A storage medium managing device is provided which can employ a set of management information containing suitable information from a plural sets of management information contained in the storage medium. An optical disc apparatus (1) manages an optical disc (2) having a plurality of management areas for containing management information with which data is managed and which is recorded in the management areas in a predetermined sequence. The apparatus includes a management information retrieving section (52) for reading the management information in the same sequence as the predetermined recording sequence to retrieve primary management information which is management information that is first retrieved normally.

Abstract: A recording medium storing information indicating that linking is applied immediately after the defective area, distinguishing a linking type which occurs in a general incremental recording mode from a linking type which occurs after the defective area. Defective areas are detected and registered in a predetermined area (recording management data (RMD) area) before user data is recorded or while user data is being recorded in the recording medium having a plurality of continuous basic recording units, such as a digital versatile disc-rewritable (DVD-RW) in which recording and reproducing can be done repeatedly. Linking is not only applied in an incremental recording mode or in a restricted overwrite recording mode, but linking is also applied to an area immediately after the defective area which is registered in the defect list, increasing reliability of the user data.

Abstract: An information recording method, including detecting a synchronous signal and first address information from a recording medium, on which the synchronous signal and the first address information have been preformatted in a wobbled groove track, which is divided into a first unit with a predetermined length on the wobbled groove track. The method further includes constructing the track into second units, the second unit having a length different from the first unit with the predetermined length, and generating second address information indicating the constructed second units.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus which detects an envelope of a tracking error signal in a record or playback mode of an optical disc having recording layers of a multilayer structure, which quantifies a variation caused by multilayer interference (to ?TES), and which restricts a recording or playback rate when a relationship ?TES>Vth is satisfied for a predetermined threshold Vth. With such an arrangement, degradation of a recording or reproducing performance or generation of running-off-track resulting from a variation in the tracking error signal caused by stray light reflected by ones of recording layers of the optical disc which are not a recording or reproducing target layer can be suppressed, and a good recording or playback quality can be obtained even in such an optical disc having the plurality of recording layers laminated therein.

Abstract: An optical pickup device divides signal light so as to detect the divided signal light. A photodetector contains two regions constructed of a region “A” and another region “B.” Among diffracted light diffracted from a track on an optical disc, only zeroth-order diffraction light enters to the region “A” of the photodetector, whereas the zeroth-order diffraction light, + first-order diffraction light, and ? first-order diffraction light enter to the region “B” thereof. A focusing error signal from the photodetector is produced based upon a signal detected by the photodetector, whereas a tracking error signal is produced based upon signals detected from the regions “A” and “B.” A stable focusing error signal and a stable tracking error signal can be detected with respect to a dual layer optical disc, or a multi layer optical disc.

Abstract: A storage medium reproducing apparatus includes a storage medium that records data; a reproducing head that reads the data recorded in the storage medium; a positioning controlling unit that performs positioning control of the reproducing head with respect to tracks based on servo signals from the servo area included in the storage medium; and a reproducing processing unit that reproduces the data recorded in data area in the storage medium by reading recording dots of the data area using the reproducing head the position of which is decided on the tracks, wherein the reproducing head has a head width capable of simultaneously reading a plurality of servo dots.

Abstract: An optical disk drive according to the present invention has the ability to read data from multiple types of optical disks, each of which includes at least one information storage layer. The drive includes: a driving mechanism 120, which is loaded with a selected one of the optical disks of the multiple types and which rotates the optical disk 102; an optical pickup 30 for irradiating the optical disk 102, which has been loaded into the driving mechanism 120, with a converged light beam, thereby generating an electrical signal based on light that has been reflected from the optical disk 102; and a control section (ODC 50) for controlling operations of the driving mechanism 120 and the optical pickup 30. The control section 50 includes a right/wrong side determining section for determining, by reference to the electrical signal generated by the optical pickup 30, whether or not the optical disk 102 has been loaded into the driving mechanism 120 with the other surface opposed to the optical pickup 30.

Abstract: An optical head device according to the present invention includes: a light source for outputting laser light; an optical system for allowing the laser light to be radiated onto an optical disk medium; and an aberration correction section for correcting an aberration of the laser light. The aberration correction section includes: a plurality of mirror sections for reflecting the laser light; a plurality of mirror driving sections for displacing the plurality of mirror sections; and a detection section for detecting a physical condition within the optical head device.

Abstract: A Maximum Likelihood Sequence Estimator comprises a signal receiver (401) which receives a first signal for decoding. An ISI processor (403) generates a compensation signal from the first signal. The compensation signal represents intersymbol interference outside a channel model window of a Maximum Likelihood Sequence Estimation (MLSE) but does not represent intersymbol interference within the channel model window of the MLSE. A compensation processor (405) generates a compensated signal by compensating the first signal by the compensation signal, e.g. by subtracting the compensation signal from the first signal. The compensated signal is fed to a MLSE decoder (407) which decodes data of the first signal by performing the MLSE on the compensated signal. The invention may provide reduced detection error rates and may in particular be suitable for optical disc reading systems.

Abstract: A method for managing data from a host to an optical disc includes: storing data into a write data queue (WDQ) when the data of sequential write commands from the host are write-address-discontinuous; and transferring specific data from the WDQ to a write buffer when an available memory space in the WDQ is lower than a first threshold value or an available memory space in the write buffer exceeds a second threshold value.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical recording device utilizing an error recovery strategy method which may be implemented in software code. The error recovery method comprise steps of stopping writing data to an extent upon detection of an error and writing the rest of the extent to another location in a data file on the disc (1). After all extents have been written, a repair process repairs the faulty extent by combining the first faulty extent and the last part written to another location in a data file. The combined extent is an error free continuous extent.

Abstract: Provided by the present invention is a method for recording on a phase-change optical information recording medium including irradiating “m” number of heating pulse with power Pw and “m” number of cooling pulse with power Pc when recording a mark of n˜Tw time length, and changing a preset value of at least any one of “m”th heating pulse THm and “m”th cooling pulse TCm when “n” is voluntary during test recording and information recording when setting an optimum write power, wherein “m” is a natural number, “n” is a natural number, Tw is a channel bit length and Pw is larger than Pc, and n=2m+1 is true when “n” is an odd number and n=2m is true when “n” is an even number.

Abstract: In order to solve the above-described problems, in a camera using a BD as a recording medium, in order to prepare a menu compliant with a standard even when the finalizing is not required for the reproduction compatibility of a BD player, an application for a finalizing process is prepared automatically or manually, thereby providing a disc with which users can enjoy reproduction comfortably.

Abstract: A specific recording pattern is sequentially written onto an optical disc using each of three sets of recording pulse conditions as trial writing. The recording patterns are reproduced sequentially. Edge shift amounts of a mark which corresponds to each of three sets of recording pulse conditions are measured from a reproduction signal. Compensation values for the recording pulse conditions are obtained from calculation by linear approximation based on the measured values.

Abstract: A recording medium and a method and apparatus for managing a defective area on the recording medium are provided. The method includes detecting an existence of a defective area within the data area of the recording medium; replacing the defective area with a replacement area in the spare area if the defective area is detected; writing in the spare area defect management information which cumulatively includes defect list information associated with the defective area detected in the step (a) and any defect list information previously written in the recording medium; and writing onto the recording medium positional information of the defect management information.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, methods of retrieving information from a data storage device previously deactivated by modification or degradation of at least a portion of the data storage device are disclosed.

Abstract: A write-once optical recording medium and a method and apparatus for recording management information on the recording medium, are provided. The recording medium includes at least one recording layer and SRR information on the recording layer. The SRR information pertains to at least one SRR and includes a header, an SRR entry list, and a terminator. The SRR entry list includes a plurality of SRR entries, each of the SRR entries pertaining to an SRR and including at least one status area for storing therein session start information.

Abstract: In a reproducing apparatus, a reading unit reads an information signal from a storage medium, and a converter converts the information signal reproduced by the reading unit into a first digital signal by sampling the information signal in accordance with a reference clock signal with a predetermined frequency higher than the frequency of the information signal. An oversampling unit generates a second digital signal by increasing the number of samples of the first digital signal output from the converter. A data detector selects two adjacent samples from the second digital signal on the basis of the frequency of the information signal reproduced by the reading unit and a phase change of the information signal. The data detector then generates read data using the selected samples of the digital signal.

Abstract: A decoding apparatus includes a burst cutting area (BCA) signal interval measuring device which measures a signal interval of a BCA area and which outputs BCA signal interval information, a T converter which obtains T information from the BCA signal interval information, a sequencer which detects a space area based on a first threshold value and which outputs an output enable signal based on the T information and a detecting result, wherein the output enable signal shows that a signal is obtained from a data area of the BCA area, and the space area is a non-signal area of the BCA area, and a channel data converter which converts the T information into channel data based on the output enable signal from the sequencer.