Abstract: An information recording/reproduction apparatus which can reduce the time required for recording power adjustment and suppress consumption of PCA is provided.

Abstract: This document relates to a method and apparatus for controlling the current of a data line. The method may comprise determining a type of an optical disc inserted into the ODD, and differently controlling the current of the data line, coupled to a host, according to the determined type. If the optical disc is determined to be a disc of a video title, current to be applied to a level rising transition of the signal may be decreased, and if the optical disc is determined to be an audio disc or a data disc, the current of the data line may maintain a preset reference value. Accordingly, EMI occurring when a video title is played in the ODD can be minimized more efficiently.

Abstract: An optical disc drive apparatus (100) of the present invention rotates an optical disc (1) at a predetermined rotation speed using a motor (2). An optical pickup (3) irradiates the optical disc (1) with a laser beam (5) emitted from its internal semiconductor laser (4), and obtains a reproduction signal (7) based on a laser beam reflected from the optical disc (1). A laser driving unit (8) controls a driving current (9) of the semiconductor laser (4) to a predetermined level, and superimposes a high-frequency current (11) having a predetermined level on the driving current (9). In a high-speed reproduction mode, a control unit (12) sets the rotation speed of the optical disc (1) higher, the power of the laser beam (5) irradiating the optical disc (1) higher, and the level of the high-frequency current (11) lower than in a normal reproduction mode.

Abstract: A servo control of an optical disk apparatus increases a suppression degree of an iterative learning control system, against a frequency disturbance of integer multiple of rotation frequency in a predetermined rotation phase range including a range, in which a servo deviation is detected, of the rotation phase.

Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to use an optical pickup in common with conventional optical disks. In a three-dimensional mark recording layer (111v) of a voluminal medium (100v), information is recorded by forming a three-dimensional record mark (RM) in the vicinity of the focus (Fb) of a blue light beam (Lb) according to the blue light beam (Lb) that is concentrated and has a light intensity equal to or larger than a predetermined intensity. The information is reproduced from the three-dimensional mark recording layer (111v) on the basis of a reproducing blue light beam (Lbr) deriving from irradiation of the blue light beam (Lb). A servo layer (114v) of the voluminal medium (100v) reflects at least part of the red light beam (Lr) which is irradiated in order to square the position of the blue light beam (Lb) in the three-dimensional mark recording layer (111v) with an arbitrary target mark position and whose wavelength is different from that of the blue light beam (Lb).

Abstract: The present invention provides an information processing apparatus, a servo adjustment method, and the like realizing reduced time required for servo adjustment. An information reproducing apparatus according to the present invention is for reproducing information recorded on a recording medium having a plurality of recording layers. The apparatus includes: signal level measuring means for measuring a signal level of each of recording layers; and servo adjusting means for performing servo adjustment on at least one of the recording layers, storing a servo adjustment value in the servo adjustment, and in the case where the recorded information is reproduced from the recording layers, performing servo adjustment on the recording layers so as to become to the servo adjustment value.

Abstract: A disclosed multilayer optical information medium includes three or more information layers. Address information indicating positions in each of the information layers is recorded in a helical manner. The information layers comprise at least one I to O layer in which values representing addresses in the address information increase from an inner perimeter section toward an outer perimeter section, and at least one O to I layer in which the values representing the addresses in the address information increase from the outer perimeter section toward the inner perimeter section. All of the I to O layers have substantially the same address information and all of the O to I layers have substantially the same address information. Layer specifying information specifying the information layer is attached to the address information.

Abstract: An optical information reproducing method of reproducing multivalued information recorded on a track of an optical information medium having a recording/reproducing region, which has virtual cells arranged thereon at regular spacings, the multivalued information being recorded thereon by changing a length of an information pit in a track direction or an area of the information pit in a cell with the use of a light spot, and the multivalued information being reproduced by detecting the level of a multistage reproduced signal from the information pit.

Abstract: A fast optimum power control method is disclosed, with a laser power level being adjusted in a predetermined sequence at an ADIP/ATIP frame of an optical recording medium. Jitter is measured at each ADIP/ATIP frame in order to obtain an average jitter value for that particular frame, and hence power level.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling tracking in a holographic data storage system, including: impinging a beam on a holographic data disc, wherein the beam is reflected from a micro-hologram disposed within the holographic data disc; detecting the reflected beam from the holographic data disc by a multi-element detector; and analyzing a pattern detected by multi-element detector to generate a tracking error signal.

Abstract: An optical pickup apparatus including a motor, a rotary member connected to the motor, the rotary member having a movement part and a stop part, a lead member disposed on the rotary member such that the lead member moves along the movement part and stops at the stop part, and a lens connected to the lead member to correct an aberration. The motor to correct a spherical aberration of the optical pickup apparatus is used instead of a sensor to sense the position of the collimator lens during the movement of the collimator lens, thereby reducing costs. The collimator lens may be controlled by sensing the reference position of the collimator lens to correct a spherical aberration of an optical disc, thereby preventing damage to optical components due to malfunction of the collimator lens.

Abstract: The invention relates to an information carrier comprising a layer (L) for storing data, said layer forming a light-guide having an internal face (IF) having placed thereon a matrix of indentations (ID1, ID2), said indentations (ID1) being shaped so as to deviate part of an input light beam (ILB) applied to said layer towards a first edge (E1) of said information carrier along a first direction (d1), the presence of an indentation reflecting a stored data having a first state, the absence of an indentation reflecting a stored data having a second state. The invention also relates to a reading system for reading this information carrier.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a near field transducer comprising a conductive metal film having a main body and a ridge extending from the main body and an optical waveguide for illumination of the near field transducer, a light guiding core layer of the optical waveguide being spaced from the near field transducer by less than about 100 nanometers and greater than 0 nanometers. In another embodiment, a method includes forming a near field transducer structure and removing a portion of the near field transducer structure. The method also includes forming a cladding layer adjacent a remaining portion of the near field transducer structure, wherein a portion of the cladding layer extends along the remaining portion of the near field transducer structure and forming a core layer above the cladding layer. Other apparatuses and methods are also included in the invention.

Abstract: An aspheric lens includes at least one aspheric lens surface, and an angle of inclination on the aspheric lens surface is smaller than or equal to 65°. The aspheric lens surface is given by the equation Z ? ( r ) = cr 2 1 + 1 - ( 1 + K ) ? c 2 ? r 2 + Lr 2 + Ar 4 + Br 6 + Cr 8 + Dr 10 + Er 12 + Fr 14 + Gr 16 + Hr 18 + Jr 20 where L?0, c is a curvature, r2=x2+y2, K is a conic integer, and L and A through J are aspheric coefficients.

Abstract: The invention provides a drive system for driving a lens holder (6) of the optical system in a disk drive unit. It comprises a movable part (8) connected to the lens holder, and a base (7) including a guide (9) for guiding the movable part. A drive motor comprises a stator (12) fixed with respect to the base and a translator (13) movable with respect to the stator upon actuation of the motor. A return mechanism (21) is connected between the translator and the movable part for bringing the rotor/translator in a starting position with respect to the movable part in a rest condition of the drive motor. A portion (18) of the movable part is in the path of movement of the translator, while there is a free stroke (20) between the portion of the movable part and the translator in the starting position of the translator. As a result, the translator will hit the movable part, thereby overcoming the static friction between the movable part and the base.

Abstract: An optical disc for micro-holographic data storage, including: optically-enabled material configured to store holographic data; guide grooves; a first coating disposed on the guide grooves and configured to reflect a tracking beam and to transmit a read or record beam; and a second coating disposed to cover the guide grooves and disposed on the first coating.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a dual-beam detection system of a holographic data storage disc, including: impinging a data beam on a data layer of the holographic data storage disc; impinging a tracking beam on a tracking element of the holographic data storage disc; detecting a reflection of the tracking beam from the tracking element; and coordinating position of the data beam relative to the tracking beam.

Abstract: A system and method for replicating optical data storage discs (e.g., holographic data storage discs) having multiple layers of data. Master discs providing for respective single layers of data are utilized, and each respective single layer of data from the master discs are replicate onto the optical data storage disc.

Abstract: In an optical beam transmissive adjusting mechanism (110) included in an optical pickup device, arrangement positions of a first transmissive element (111) having a first transmittance and a second transmissive element (112) having a second transmittance higher than the first transmittance are switched by a rotational drive unit (105), and an optical beam having a first optical power and an optical beam having a second optical power are output selectively. Furthermore, since a transmissive element of a non-transmissive side for an optical beam is arranged at an angle inclined to an optical axis of the optical beam, the transmissive element does not obstruct a path of the optical beam to be diffused.

Abstract: An optical recording and reproducing apparatus is provided for recording standing wave information on an optical recording medium and reproducing standing wave information from an optical recording medium. The optical recording and reproducing apparatus includes an optical head configured to separate a laser beam emitted from a light source (1) into three beams and emit, using an objective lens (7), two beams A and B of the three separate beams into an optical disk (8) having a reflecting surface (10) from the same side of the optical disk (8) so that a focal position SF of the one laser beam A reaching the reflecting surface is the same as a focal position of the other laser beam B after returning from the reflecting surface.

Abstract: Various embodiments related to the performance of gapless audio playback of two or more audio tracks are provided. One disclosed embodiment provides a method of performing gapless audio playback comprising rendering a plurality of samples of a current audio track via a current filter graph, and notifying an end-of-stream soon event via a current filter graph. Upon detecting the end-of-stream soon event, a next filter graph corresponding to a next audio track is pre-rolled and then paused. An end-of-stream event is notified at the current filter graph signaling an end of the current audio track. Then, upon detecting an end-of-stream event, the next filter graph is signaled to begin rendering samples of the next audio track.

Abstract: An optical disk drive device has an RF equalizer configured to generate an equalized RF signal by controlling a frequency characteristic of a delay time of an RF signal read out from an optical disk based on a control input signal, a playback clock extractor configured to extract a playback clock for reproducing data recorded on the optical disk from the equalized RF signal, and an RF rate controller configured to generate the control input signal inputted to the RF equalizer, wherein the control input signal is a signal for correcting waveform distortion of the RF signal by controlling the delay time of the RF signal dependent on a frequency of the playback clock.

Abstract: An objective lens drive device where a cushioning elastic body can be stably poured into a through-hole that is formed in a wire holder in which a suspension wire is inserted, and where the amount of the elastic body required is reduced. The through-hole that is formed in the wire holder (8) and in which the suspension wire (7) is inserted has a first elastic body receiving section (8a) formed on a lens holder (2) side, a second elastic body receiving section (8b) formed on a wire fixation member side so as to be adjacent to the first elastic body receiving section (8a), and a wire penetration hole (8c) for communicating the first elastic body receiving section (8a) and the second elastic body receiving section (8b) and having a smaller diameter than the first elastic body receiving section (8a).

Abstract: In a track offset adjusting method of an information recording medium, data are recorded onto first and second tracks of an information recording medium. No data are recorded on at least one of tracks adjacent to each of the first and second tracks. After the data recording onto the first and second tracks, data are recorded onto the third track adjacent to the inner circumferential side of the first track and onto a fourth track adjacent to the outer circumferential side of the second track. Thereafter, reproduction signal qualities of the first and second tracks are calculated on the basis of reproduction signals obtained by reproducing the data recorded on said first and second tracks. The track offset is adjusted on the basis of the reproduction signal qualities of the first and second tracks.

Abstract: A movement speed of a lens included in an optical pickup is calculated by differentiating a total reflection return light quantity that is detected by emitting laser light and near-field light onto a signal recording surface of a rotationally driven optical disc. On the basis of the calculated movement speed, processing for driving the optical pickup or the lens included in the optical pickup is controlled. For example, in a case where the calculated movement speed exceeds a permissible speed set in advance, retreat processing is performed for moving the optical pickup or the lens included in the optical pickup apart from a surface of the optical disc.

Abstract: An optical recording medium to be used for a retail activation solution is proposed. The optical recording medium is a modified ROM disk that can only be played after the application of an activation process. For this purpose at least a part of a reflective layer of a read-only area of the optical recording medium is replaced by a light sensitive layer stack that changes its reflectivity upon illumination. Also proposed are a method for producing such an optical recording medium as well as methods and apparatuses for initializing and/or activating such an optical recording medium.

Abstract: A data storage device comprises a substrate having oppositely disposed surfaces and a plurality of volumes arranged along tracks between the surfaces; a plurality of micro-holograms each contained in a corresponding one of the volumes; and, at least one groove in at least one of the surfaces and being operative to diffract light through the at least one surface and into the volumes; wherein, the presence or absence of a micro-hologram in a stacked layer in each of the volumes is indicative of a corresponding portion of data stored.

Abstract: A system for use with a data storage media having at least one groove proximate a surface thereof and a plurality of volumes therein, including: objective lensing; a first tracking error detector optically coupled to the objective lensing and being responsive to reflections from the at least one groove; a first actuator coupled and responsive to the first tracking error detector; a second tracking error detector optically coupled to the objective lensing and responsive to reflections from micro-holograms contained in at least some of the volumes; and, a second actuator coupled and responsive to the second tracking error detector; wherein the first and second actuators cooperate to selectively position the objective lensing to focus a light beam into a target one of the volumes.

Abstract: A data storage device including: a plastic substrate having a plurality of data volumes arranged along tracks in a plurality of stacked layers; a plurality of micro-holograms each contained in a corresponding one of the data volumes; a plurality of complementary volumes, each corresponding to and being substantially aligned with one of the data volumes; a plurality of micro-holograms each contained in a corresponding one of the complementary volumes; wherein, the presence or absence of a micro-hologram in each of the data volumes is indicative of a corresponding portion of data stored; and, the ones of the complementary volumes corresponding to the ones of the data volumes containing a micro-hologram do not contain a micro-hologram; and the ones of the complementary volumes corresponding to the ones of the data volumes not containing a micro-hologram contain a micro-hologram.

Abstract: An optical information reproducing method of reproducing multivalued information recorded on a track of an optical information medium having a recording/reproducing region, which has virtual cells arranged thereon at regular spacings, the multivalued information being recorded thereon by changing a length of an information pit in a track direction or an area of the information pit in a cell with the use of a light spot, and the multivalued information being reproduced by detecting the level of a multistage reproduced signal from the information pit.

Abstract: An optical disk drive for determining a disk type associated with a substrate thickness of an optical disk comprising a substrate is provided to comprise a source to generate a beam, an optical arrangement arranged to direct the beam to the optical disk for forming an incident beam, a sensor arranged to sense a reflected beam and to produce a sensor output signal, a focus system comprising an objective lens system and a focus controller, wherein the objective lens system is arranged to focus the incident beam into a spot, and the focus controller is arranged to generate a focus control signal to drive and position the objective lens system; and a controller arranged to cooperate with the focus controller for moving the objective lens system, to receive the central aperture signal during the movement of the objective lens system, to analyze the central aperture signal for determining the focus actuator position, and to determine the disk type associated with the substrate thickness.

Abstract: An optical media playback device includes a memory to store calibration data specifying how a mark of a particular length should be formed on an optical storage media. A control module writes a training pattern onto the optical storage media based on the calibration data. The training pattern includes a first mark having a first length. A control module reads the training pattern previously written onto the optical storage media and determines whether the first length of the first mark corresponds to the particular length specified by the calibration data. The control module adjusts the calibration data stored in the memory in response to the first length of the first mark not corresponding to the particular length specified by the calibration data.

Abstract: A data storage device including: a plastic substrate having a plurality of volumes arranged in tracks along a plurality of vertically stacked, laterally extending layers therein; and, a plurality of micro-holograms each contained in a corresponding one of the volumes; herein, the presence or absence of a micro-hologram in each of the volumes is indicative of a corresponding portion of data stored.

Abstract: A data storage device including: a plastic substrate having a plurality of volumes arranged along a plurality of depth-extending, concentrically stacked tracks; and, a plurality of micro-holograms each contained in a corresponding one of the tracks; wherein, the presence or absence of a micro-hologram in each of said volumes is indicative of a corresponding portion of data stored.

Abstract: A data recording/reproducing system (1) reads a recording signal written on a recording track of a recording medium (3), by using light, which is modulated by a drive signal wherein a frequency signal is superposed for scanning the signal along the recording track at a prescribed scanning speed. Then, the system reproduces the read signal as data. The data recording/reproducing system is provided with a computer (13) for controlling the superposition frequency of the frequency signal for the drive signal corresponding to the scanning speed, and an LD driver (17).

Abstract: The present techniques provide methods and systems for more reliable reading of optical data disks. In embodiments, a multi-pixel detector that is segmented into multiple areas, or detector segments, may be used to detect a pattern in the light reflected from an optical data disk. The pattern may include light scattered from a single bit that may be under a center detector, as well as light scattered from proximate bits. The detector system may then combine the quantized values from each of the detector segments mathematically to determine the presence or absence of a bit or bits of data. The mathematical combination may also use data that is known about the status of adjacent data bits (such as previously read bits, or bit patterns which are allowed or not allowed by specific data encoding schemes) to improve the accuracy of the bit prediction.

Abstract: An HF waveform prevailing during a read operation varies due, for instance, to changes in the ambient temperature of an optical disc drive and variations in the characteristics of a laser. This degrades read performance and decreases the number of rewritable disc read operations. To address the above problems, an optical disc drive and an optical information read method are disclosed. The disclosed optical disc drive and optical information read method vary an HF amplitude in relation to the resistance, differential resistance, or temperature of the laser.

Abstract: An optical-system driving device is achieved that can switch over between objective lenses and is space-saving, lightweight, and simply-configured. An optical-system driving device for recording information onto or playing it back from an optical storage medium, includes a stationary unit having a rotation axis; a movable unit pivotable about the rotation axis; pivotal movement means for pivotally moving the movable unit about the rotation axis; and the movable unit includes a holder having a plurality of optical means that is able to focus a beam of light onto the optical storage medium, and a plurality of conductive elastic members for supporting the holder, wherein an optical axis of each of the plurality of optical means is located substantially equidistant from the rotation axis, and the optical means for focusing the beam of light onto the optical storage medium is selected by pivotally moving the movable unit with the rotation means.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling position of a pick-up head of an optical drive, including manipulating the position of the pick-up head as a primary variable in a cascade control scheme, and manipulating current flowing through the pick-up head as a secondary variable in the cascade control scheme.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an optical recording medium and an optical information device that enable to improve the quality of a servo signal and a reproduction signal.

Abstract: An objective lens actuator 25, for driving an objective lens 1 for focusing lights upon a recoding surface of an optical disc, comprises a moving part 2, which comprises the objective lens 1 and a coil; a magnet, which is fixed on a yoke and drives the moving part 2; a plural number of elastic support parts, each of which supports the moving part 2 at an end thereof; a first fixing portion 5a and a second fixing portion 5b, which fix other ends of the plural number of elastic support parts 4 and are disposed opposite to each other in a focus direction; and a moving mechanism 6, which is provided on the first and second fixing portion 5a and 5b, so that the first and second fixing portions 5a and 5b can move in the focus direction, relatively, and thereby providing the objective lens actuator 25 enabling to reduce the dynamic relative tilt between the optical disc and the objective lens 1 (i.e.

Abstract: A laser converging apparatus comprising: a nonpolarizing hologram element having a first area defined by a numerical aperture corresponding to a thickness of a first protective layer of a first disk medium and a second area inside the first area, the second area defined by a numerical aperture corresponding to a thickness of a second protective layer (>the thickness of the first protective layer) of a second disk medium, the second area having a hologram pattern for diffracting laser light into zero order light and high-order diffracted light having the order of primary or higher; an objective lens having the numerical aperture corresponding to the thickness of the first protective layer, the objective lens converging the laser light having passed through a part of the first area other than the second area and the zero order light having passed through the second area onto an information surface on one side of the first protective layer, the objective lens converging the high-order diffracted light having

Abstract: An optical pickup actuator and an optical recording/reproducing apparatus are provided. The optical pickup actuator can include a three-axial driving unit to independently drive an objective lens to focus a laser beam onto a disk in a focusing direction, a tracking direction and a radial-tilt direction, respectively, and a tangential-tilt driving unit to drive the three-axial driving unit in a tangential-tilt direction to drive the objective lens in the tangential-tilt direction.

Abstract: In an optical head apparatus and an optical disc apparatus which can reduce influence of interlayer stray light on a differential push-pull signal without making the configuration complicated, Uy=Ty×N1 is satisfied, where Ty denotes a length in the y-direction of one period of an interference fringe which is formed on the photodetector 9 by reflected light of the zero-order diffracted light by an information recording surface other than the access-target information recording surface, reflected light of the positive-first-order diffracted light by the information recording surface other than the access-target information recording surface, and reflected light of the negative-first-order diffracted light by the information recording surface other than the access-target information recording surface, N1 denotes a positive integer, and Uy denotes each length in the y-direction of the divisional light-receiving elements 9e, 9f, 9g, and 9h.

Abstract: Provided herein is an optical disc having: an optical plotting layer 17 which is formed at a label surface B-side and on which an image is formed by heat change with a laser beam 28 emitted from a recording surface A-side; a protective layer 18 which is formed at the label surface B-side of the optical plotting layer 17, protects the optical plotting layer 17, and through which the image can be viewed from the label surface B-side; a substrate 15 which supports the protective layer 18 and the optical plotting layer 17; and a guide track 24 which is formed on the optical plotting layer 17 so as to be intermittent in a guide direction.

Abstract: Provided herein is an optical disc having: an optical plotting layer which is formed at a label surface side and on which an image is formed by heat change with a laser beam emitted from a recording surface side; a protective layer which is formed at the label surface side of the optical plotting layer, protects the optical plotting layer, and through which the image can be viewed from the label surface side; a reflective layer which is formed at the recording surface side of the optical plotting layer and reflects the laser beam; and a substrate which supports the reflective layer, the protective layer and the optical plotting layer.

Abstract: An actuator system for use in an optical pick up unit is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of actuator drivers (301, 305, 309), each actuator driver being connected to a first end of a separate actuator coil (313, 315, 317), wherein a second end of each actuator coil is tied together to form a common end, said actuator drivers each being connected to a supply voltage Vcc and ground. A variable voltage supply (319) is connected to the common end of the actuator coils for varying the voltage applied to the common end of the actuator coils. A feed-back unit (303, 307, 311) is connected to each of the plurality of actuator drivers, wherein each of the feedback units measures the current voltage being supplied to the second ends of the actuator coils and compensates the voltage applied to the first end of the actuator coil by the actuator driver.

Abstract: The invention relates to the writing and optical reading of high-density information. The higher energy density at the center of the reading laser beam is used for modifying the energy structure of an active layer in such a way as to make it capable of bearing surface plasmons. The coupling of the laser beam and the active layer thus modified can then excite surface plasmons in an interface between a dielectric layer and the active layer. These surface plasmons are disturbed by physical marks having very small dimensions and written in the optical storage medium; these disturbances generate a remote-field optical response which can be detected by a detector. The operation is carried out in super-resolution, the surface plasmons being generated only at the center of the laser beam and not at the periphery. It is therefore possible to write and to read again marks having dimensions of size smaller than the theoretical resolution of the optical reading system.

Abstract: An optical pickup according to the present invention includes an integrated circuit element (LDD) 5 for driving first, second, and third semiconductor lasers 3, 4, and 5. The LDD 50 is shaped so as to have a rectangular principal face surrounded by one side, with a plurality of input/output pins being arranged along each side. The plurality of input/output pins include a first pin group connected to a blue-violet laser 5 whose oscillation wavelength is the shortest, a second pin group connected to a red laser 4, and a third pin group connected to an infrared laser 3. The wiring structure of the optical pickup includes a first transmission line 41 for connecting the first pin group to the blue-violet laser 5, a second transmission line 33 for connecting the second pin group to the red laser 4, and a third transmission line 31 for connecting the third pin group to the infrared laser 3, where the first transmission line 41 is shorter than both the second and third transmission lines 31 and 33.

Abstract: In a conventional optical-means driving device mounting a plurality of objective lenses, a lens holder is provided with introduction holes to serve thereinto inner yokes, so that it has been difficult to enhance stiffness and to increase secondary resonance. The optical-means driving device according to the present invention includes a holder for holding a plurality of optical means each of which focuses on an optical disk a light beam outputted from a light source, focusing coils, and tracking coils; a plurality of elastic support members for supporting the holder so as to be movable in an approximately radial direction of the optical disk and in an approximately perpendicular direction to the optical disk; and a base for holding inner yokes placed inside the holder, and magnets that generate magnetic fields with respect to the focusing coils and to the tracking coils; as for the optical-means driving device, the top face of the holder has a closed structure over the inner yokes.