Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.v.

U.S. Philips Corporation

Jacobus P J Heemskerk

Jakob Gerrit Nijboer

Gijsbert Joseph Van Den Enden

Maarten Kuijper

Josephus A H M Kahlman

Peter Coops

Bart Van Rompaey

Joost J J Bekkers

Derk Visser

Antonius H M Holtslag

An optical information storage system has a multi-recording-layer record carrier and a scanner device for the carrier. The scanner produces a radiation beam which is compensated for spherical aberration for a single height of the scanning spot with the stack of layers. The height of the stack is determined by the maximum spherical aberration permissible for the system. The number of layers in the stack is determined by the minimum distance between layers, which depends on the crosstalk in the error signals due to currently unscanned layers.

Multi-layer information storage system with focus and radial positioning error detection

Method of registering a running time on an information carrier, the information carrier comprising main data and subcode data, the running time being indicated in a subcode channel by a subcode time expressed in accordance with a predetermined format. A pseudo-running time is described by incrementing the subcode time in accordance with a pseudo-tempo, which is different from an actual tempo, the actual tempo representing a tempo in accordance with the actual running time. The invention further relates to an information carrier and an apparatus.

Method of registering a running time on an information carrier, information carrier and apparatus

A next generation of high-speed CD-RW discs for high-speed recording (4x-10x) needs a new write strategy, which is not suited for recording at lower speeds (1x-4x). Existing CD-RW recorders may accept these discs and make recordings according to existing write strategies. This will result in unreadable discs. To prevent this, a Power Calibration Area (PCA) and a Program Memory Area (PMA), both needed for recording, are hidden for the existing recorders. As a result the disc will be rejected. In a method wherein an absolute time reference (ATIP) is applied on the disc, the start locations of these areas being determined by a fixed time offset relative to a subsequent Lead-in area, the PCA and PMA are made untraceable by introducing and Absolute Time in Pre-Groove (ATIP) time code jump of, for instance, one minute just before the Start time of the Lead-in area. Alternatively, the absolute Time in Pre-Groove (ATIP) time code jumps are introduced between a Test Area and a Count Area of the program calibration area (PCA).

Method of hiding areas on a disc like recording of the optically rewritable type

A next generation of high speed CD-RW discs for high speed recording (4&times;-10&times;) need a new write strategy, which is not suited for recording at lower speeds (1&times;4&times;). Existing CD-RW recorders may accept these discs and make recordings according to existing write strategies. This will result in unreadable discs. To prevent this, a Power Calibration Area (PCA) and a Program Memory Area (PMA), both needed for recording, are hidden for the existing recorders. As a result the disc will be rejected. In a method wherein an absolute time reference (ATIP) is applied on the disc, the start locations of said areas being determined by a fixed time offset relative to a subsequent Lead-in area, an embodiment of the invention is obtained by making the PCA and PMA untraceable by introducing and Absolute Time in Pre-Groove (ATIP) time code jump of for instance one minute just before the Start time of the Lead-in area. Another embodiment is obtained by introducing the absolute Time in Pre-Groove (ATIP) time code jumps between a Test Area and a Count Area of the program calibration area (PCA).

Method of preventing recording on a disc like recording medium of the optically rewritable type

Running time is registered on an information carrier that includes main data and subcode data. The running time is indicated in a subcode channel by a subcode time expressed in accordance with a predetermined format. A pseudo-running time is described by incrementing the subcode time in accordance with a pseudo-tempo, which is different from an actual tempo, the actual tempo representing a tempo in accordance with the actual running time.

Multi-layer optical record carrier not requiring spherical aberration correction

An optical record carrier comprises substantially parallel tracks being divided into recording units having an address area (,), adjacent address areas of adjacent tracks (,) comprising shared address marks (,). Shared address marks (,) are positioned in between adjacent tracks and arranged in sharing portions (,) of the address area, each sharing portion sharing address marks only to one side. The address area also comprises a free portion (,) which is free from shared address marks, which free portion is aligned with a sharing portion (,) of an adjacent address area. This is advantageous for reducing crosstalk in the address read signal. The sequence of the free and sharing portions within an address area differs so as to be matching in adjacent address areas. Further an apparatus for scanning the record carrier is described, which apparatus comprises an optical system (,) for generating a spot (,) on the record carrier via a radiation beam (,), tracking means (,), address recovery means (,) and positioning means (,) for moving the spot to a desired track. The address recovery means (,) are arranged for detecting the free portion and deriving the sequence of the free and sharing portions.

Growing community of inventors

Eindhoven, Netherlands

Jacobus P J Heemskerk