2207results about "Modification of read/write signals" patented technology

An information storing disk including at least one system stream stored thereon. The at least one system stream includes a silent cell for defining a silent period and an audio cell for defining audio data to be reproduced after the silent period. The silent period is a period to be silent, which is from when one system stream to be reproduced among at least one system stream is determined until reproduction of an audio cell included in the one system stream is started.

A magnetic sensor includes a magnetoresistance element having a peak of a thermal fluctuation strength of magnetization under a magnetic field having a certain frequency, a frequency filter connected to the magnetoresistance element and having its transmittance decreased or increased in substantially the frequency of the magnetic field to output a signal corresponding substantially to the peak of the thermal fluctuation strength of magnetization, and a detector connected to the frequency filter to detect the magnetic field based on the signal of the frequency filter.

To effectively suppress a signal in a low frequency region in which the medium noise and the signal distortion are concentrated, and in order to effectively utilize a detected component of the reproduced signal in the low frequency region, a target of partial response equalization to the perpendicularly recorded / reproduced signal is set so that the low-frequency component around the direct current is suppressed to a regulated quantity for both the effective suppression and the effective utilization. Accordingly, a maximum-likelihood decoding process is carried out through the target of partial response equalization. Reliability of data detection is made higher and a signal-to-noise ratio is improved, so that the noise from the recording medium can be reduced more and it is possible to provide a high-density magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus.

A disk drive is disclosed comprising a plurality of disk surfaces and a plurality of respective heads actuated radially over the disk surfaces. Each disk surface comprises a plurality of tracks, each track comprising a plurality of data sectors and a plurality of embedded servo sectors, each embedded servo sector comprising a servo sync mark for synchronizing to the embedded servo sector. When the disk drive switches heads, a detection window for detecting the servo sync mark is opened early. An asynchronous gain control algorithm prevents a gain control system from diverging while reading an area of the disk surface preceding the servo sync mark, and a synchronous gain control algorithm maintains a proper gain of the read signal while reading the servo sync mark.

A write-once optical recording medium, and a method and apparatus for recording management information on the recording medium are provided. The method includes recording, in a temporary defect management area (TDMA), management information produced while the recording medium is in use, and transferring and recording the latest management information of the TDMA in a final defect management area (DMA) of the recording medium at a DMA fill-in stage of the recording medium.

In a disk drive that performs perpendicular magnetic recording, the read / write channel has a sync mark generator. The sync mark generator generates a second sync mark before the read / write channel operates to write data on a disk. The second sync mark has a bit pattern including a series of bits representing positive polarity and a series of bits representing negative polarity. The series of bits, which is longer than the other, has a bit length that is at least 50% but less than 85% of the total bit length of the second sync mark.

A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk, a head actuated over the disk to generate a read signal, and a trellis detector for detecting an estimated data sequence from the read signal. The trellis detector comprises a sampling device operable to sample the read signal to generate a sequence of signal sample values, and a plurality of add / compare / select (ACS) circuits each corresponding to a state in a trellis. Each ACS circuit comprises a first and second branch metric calculators for computing first and second branch metrics in response to first and second errors adjusted in response to first and second deltas that compensate for a distortion in the read signal.

A composite data detector having first and second data detectors. The second detector of the invention starts in a known state and only runs as long as is necessary before being switched off and handing control back over to the smaller detector. Therefore, the composite data detector of the invention consumes less power than the known composite data detector and estimates bits with higher accuracy.

An audio data receiving apparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive audio data sampled in accordance with a first clock signal; a synchronization unit configured to generate a second clock signal that is synchronized with the first clock signal by extracting clock components contained in the audio data; a demodulator configured to demodulate the audio data in accordance with the second clock signal; an oversampling unit configured to oversample the audio data demodulated by the demodulator by using a frequency higher than a frequency of the second clock signal; a clock generator configured to generate a third clock signal having a frequency nearly equal to the first clock signal; and a data output unit configured to output the audio data oversampled by the oversampling unit in accordance with the third clock signal generated by the clock generator.

A device (120) for processing data for a wearable apparatus (100, 110), the device (120) comprising an input unit (122) adapted to receive input data, means (124, 116, 117) for generating information, referred to as wearing information (WI), which is based on sensor information and indicates a state, referred to as wearing state, in which the wearable apparatus (100) is worn, and a processing unit (121) adapted to process the input data on the basis of the wearing information (WI), thereby generating output data.

Systems and methods for managing the storage of recordings in a recording device in which the recordings were requested by several users are provided. Each user may be assigned a storage space limit defining the amount of storage space each user is entitled to use. In some embodiments, the storage space limit may be flexibly increased to take advantage of extra space available from other users. The system may intelligently borrow space from other users to limit the risk that a requested recording is canceled due to unavailable storage resources. In some embodiments, the system may jointly allocate a recording to several users who commonly requested a recording. The system may also set aside space in the recording device that is saved exclusively for a particular user. In some embodiments, the recording device may allocate the storage resources based on the usage of the recordings.

Disclosed is a disk drive and method to characterize misaligned servo wedges. The disk drive includes an actuator arm, a head, a disk, and a servo controller. The head is connected to a distal end of the actuator arm in which the actuator arm is rotatable about a pivot to move the head radially over the disk. The servo controller is used to characterize misaligned servo wedges by implementing operations including: commanding the head to track follow on a track; measuring wedge-to-wedge time (WTWT) values corresponding to time intervals between identified servo wedges; calculating wedge-to-wedge time (WTWT) variations for the measured WTWT values; and characterizing the calculated WTWT variations, wherein, characterizing the calculated WTWT variations for the track includes utilizing a WTWT variation modeling function to model the WTWT variations.

A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk and a head actuated over the disk, wherein the disk comprises a plurality of spiral tracks, each comprising a high frequency signal interrupted by a sync mark at a sync mark interval. The head is used to read a spiral track to generate a spiral track crossing signal g(xn), where xn is a time in a demodulation window. A position error signal (PES) is determined in response to g(xn), and a deviation index is computed by correlating g(xn) with a nominal track crossing signal shifted by the PES. When the deviation index is less than a threshold, the PES is used to servo the head over the disk.

Methods and systems for write compensation for optimizing the performance of a data storage or communication channel are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises determining channel sensitivity to modifications in write signal parameters, detecting systematic errors in a read signal recovered from data written with a first set of write parameters, and adjusting the write signal parameters by an amount determined from the channel sensitivity such that the systematic errors are reduced when data are written with the adjusted write parameters.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the detection of synchronization marks in data storage and retrieval. According to one embodiment, synchronization marks are detected from the output of a matched filter, upstream of the Viterbi detector. This approach avoids the delay associated with the latency of the Viterbi output, thereby allowing time to align parity framing and to properly start the time-varying trellis. Certain embodiments disclose 34- and 20-bit primary synchronization marks located at the beginning of a data region. Other embodiments disclose 16-, 20-, and 24-bit embedded synchronization marks located within a data region.

A sampled amplitude read channel is disclosed for magnetic disk storage systems comprising an adaptive non-linear correction circuit for correcting non-linear distortions in the read signal, such as asymmetry caused by the non-linear response of a magneto-resistive (MR) read head. The analog read signal is sampled and the discrete time sample values equalized into a desired partial response prior to sequence detection. The non-linear correction circuit is inserted into the read path prior to the sequence detector and adaptively tuned by a least-mean-square (LMS) adaptation circuit. In one embodiment, the non-linear correction circuit is a discrete-time Volterra filter comprising a linear response for implementing an equalizing filter, and a non-linear response for attenuating non-linear distortions in the read signal. The filter coefficients of both the linear and non-linear sections of the Volterra filter are adaptively adjusted by the LMS adaptation circuit. In an alternative embodiment, the non-linear correction circuit operates in the analog domain, prior to the sampling device, where the cost and complexity can be minimized. The analog correction circuit implements an inverse response to that of the non-linearity in the read signal, and the response is adaptively tuned using an LMS update value computed in discrete-time for a Volterra filter, without actually implementing a Volterra filter. Further, the LMS update value for the analog correction circuit can be implemented using a simple squaring circuit.

A method of reading a data block from a sector of a recording media is described. The data block from the sector of the recording channel is decoded with an ECC decoder (first trial). The data block is re-decoded (second trial) using an adjusted timing recovery block that is adjusted based on the decoded data block, if the number of errors exceeded an error correction capability of the ECC decoder on the first trial. In one embodiment, the data block is reread from the same sector of the recording channel using the adjusted timing recovery block that is adjusted based on the re-decoded data block. The data block is subsequently jointly decoded with the waveforms obtained from the second trial by a possibly modified sequence detector, if the number of errors exceeded the error correction capability of the ECC decoder during the second trial.

Symbol by symbol MAP detection for signals corrupted by colored and / or signal dependent noise. A novel means is presented for recursive calculation of forward metrics (α), backward metrics (β), and corresponding soft information (e.g., which can be provided as LLRs (log likelihood ratios)) within communication systems in which a trellis can be employed to perform demodulation of a received signal sequence. For signals that have been corrupted by colored and / or signal dependent noise, this means provides for the ability to perform novel soft information calculation for subsequent use in iterative decoding processing. Many types of communication channels can benefit from this novel means of detection including communication channels within hard disk drives (HDDs).

A media noise optimized (MNO) detector for a read channel compensates for pattern dependent media noise, and compensates for nonlinearities from many sources such as residual MR nonlinearity, residual nonlinear transition shift, partial erasure, write-induced nonlinearity, and steady-state mis-equalization. The MNO detector is implemented by adjusting a conventional Viterbi detector branch metric so that the channel output value (ideal value) can be a nonlinear function of the state / branch bits, and the branch metric scaling factor is a function of the state / branch. For a given state / branch, the ideal value is the mean of analog-to-digital converter samples for the pattern corresponding to the state / branch, and the branch metric scaling factor is proportional to the noise variance for the pattern corresponding to that state / branch.

Methods and systems for mitigating latency in a data detector feedback loop are included. For example, a method for reducing latency in an error corrected data retrieval system is included. The method includes performing an analog to digital conversion at a sampling instant to create a digital sample, and performing a data detection on the digital sample to create a detected output. The detected output is compared with the digital sample to determine a phase error. During an interim period, the digital sample is adjusted to reflect the phase error to create an adjusted digital sample. After the interim period, the sampling instant is adjusted to reflect the phase error.

A timing recovery unit detects a phase offset and a frequency offset from a head area of reproduction data and initially corrects them. The timing recovery unit stores data in which a head reproduction signal has been made to be discrete by a fixed clock into a buffer. A phase offset detector detects the phase offset from the data head area in parallel with the operation for writing the data into the buffer. At the same time, a frequency offset detector detects the frequency offset from the data head area in parallel with the operation for writing the data into the buffer. A correction value of the detected phase offset and a correction value of the detected frequency offset are initially set into a digital PLL. While the data is read out from the buffer, a frequency lead-in and a phase lead-in are executed in the head area.

Method and apparatus for predicting future failure of a disc drive head from degradation in a head readback response characteristic, such as electrical resistance, readback signal amplitude, asymmetry or nonlinearity. During manufacturing, the disc drive determines and store a baseline level for a selected readback response characteristic of the head indicative of head performance as data are read back from a disc. During subsequent data processing use, the disc drive subsequently periodically determines a subsequent level for the readback response characteristic of the head. The possibility of a future failure of the drive is next predicted in relation to a difference between the baseline level and the subsequent level for the readback response characteristic of the head. An indication of the possibility of the future failure is provided to allow a host device to reallocate data stored on the disc before the failure of the head.

A communications channel includes a buffer that receives user data symbols including a plurality of M-bit symbols. A seed selector receives the plurality of M-bit symbols, selectively removes symbols from a seed set based on Hamming distances between at least two of the M-bit symbols, and selects a scrambling seed from remaining symbols in the seed set. A scrambling device that communicates with the seed selector and the data buffer generates scrambled user data based on the user data symbols and the scrambling seed. The communications channel is implemented in a data storage system. The seed selector ensures a minimum Hamming weight of 15 percent in the scrambled user data. The seed selector compares first and second user data symbols in the plurality of M-bit symbols.

A composite data detector having first and second data detectors. The second detector of the invention starts in a known state and only runs as long as is necessary before being switched off and handing control back over to the smaller detector. Therefore, the composite data detector of the invention consumes less power than the known composite data detector and estimates bits with higher accuracy.

Techniques for detecting data, such as servo data, from input or incoming data read from a transmission medium, such as magnetic recording medium, in the presence or absence of radial incoherence. In one illustrative recording medium-based aspect of the invention, such a technique for detecting data from input data stored on a recording medium comprises the following steps. First, one or more samples are interpolated from one or more samples which have been generated from the input data at a given symbol rate. The one or more interpolated samples have one or more phases associated therewith which differ from a phase associated with the one or more samples generated at the given symbol rate. Then, an optimum or best phase is selected from the symbol rate phase and the one or more interpolated phases such that at least a portion of the one or more samples associated with the optimum phase are identified as representative of detected data.

A repeatable run-out (RRO) detector employs one or more digital interpolators to interpolate asynchronous sample values representing an RRO address mark (AM) and RRO data, an asynchronous maximum-likelihood (AML) detector to detect the RRO AM, and a RRO data decoder to decode the RRO data. The AML detector employs an AML algorithm, such as a Viterbi algorithm, to detect the series of peaks of the RRO AM based on detection of the entire sequence of observed peaks. AML detection selects one of either the asynchronous or interpolated sample sequences that are closest in distance to the ideal RRO AM sample sequence. Once the RRO AM is detected, the AML detector provides a RRO AM found signal as well as the selected one of the sample sequences having the best phase for detecting and decoding the RRO data.

The present invention provides a system and method for dispensing multimedia content. The invention discloses a network kiosk configured to receive multimedia materials from a variety of sources that may be stored, combined and recorded on mass storage devices such as solid state memory, multimedia players and rewriteable optical storage devices including rewriteable Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs) and rewriteable Compact Discs (CDs). Users may select material for purchase or rent at the kiosk or through external wired and wireless computing devices such as computers, cellular telephones, personal data assistants (PDAs), multimedia players.

A dynamic threshold detector for a servo writer / detector in a magnetic storage system with a magnetic medium comprises a detector that receives data from the magnetic medium and that selects one of a first condition and a second condition based on at least one of an amplitude, a sign and bit transitions of the data. A threshold selector selects a first set of thresholds when the first condition is selected by the detector and a second set of thresholds when the second condition is selected by the detector. The data includes pairs of numbers with a first number and a a second number each having one of a positive sign and a negative sign and wherein the detector selects the first condition when the signs of the pairs are the same and the second condition when the signs of the pairs are different.

A timing recovery unit detects a phase offset and a frequency offset from a head area of reproduction data and initially corrects them. The timing recovery unit stores data in which a head reproduction signal has been made to be discrete by a fixed clock into a buffer. A phase offset detector detects the phase offset from the data head area in parallel with the operation for writing the data into the buffer. At the same time, a frequency offset detector detects the frequency offset from the data head area in parallel with the operation for writing the data into the buffer. A correction value of the detected phase offset and a correction value of the detected frequency offset are initially set into a digital PLL. While the data is read out from the buffer, a frequency lead-in and a phase lead-in are executed in the head area.

A repeatable run-out (RRO) detector employs one or more digital interpolators to interpolate asynchronous sample values representing an RRO address mark (AM) and RRO data, and an asynchronous maximum-likelihood (AML) detector to detect the RRO AM. The AML detector selects one of either the asynchronous or interpolated sample sequences that are closest in distance to the ideal RRO AM sample sequence. In addition, a gain value is generated for each of the asynchronous and interpolated sample sequences. Once the RRO AM is detected, the AML detector provides a RRO AM found signal. Gain estimate values for either the selected asynchronous or selected interpolated sample sequences corresponding to the RRO AM found signal are averaged over a predefined number of detection events to generate a best gain error metric (BGEM). The BGEM is employed to adjust the gain of the asynchronous sample sequence.