2004Research papers

Summary

We developed an electron beam recorder (EBR) with a rotation stage for optical disk mastering and realized a high-density disk with a capacity of 280GB. By using the rotation stage, circle patterns of large area could be easily recorded compared with the X-Y stage based electron beam exposure system. Furthermore, various patterns could be also recorded by using a beam blanker and a high speed deflector. We confirmed that the EBR has a promising ability not only for high density optical disk mastering but also for fine patterning to realize a patterned hard media.

Summary

We realized an inorganic write-once disk of 25GB capacity based on Blu-ray Disc format. The data-to-clock jitter of 5.7% was obtained at 25 GB capacity, using the limit equalizer. And we confirmed that this disk had potential for application as a 1X-2X recordable disk. In addition, we analyzed the recording mechanism, which was using a composition of two types of metal nitride for recording material, and found it is useful for making well-formed microscopic marks.

Summary

A Blu-ray Disc system which employs a 405nm blue laser diode, an NA 0.85 objective lens and a 0.1mm cover layers was standardized. When developing the optical pickup for Blu-ray Disc system, it was desirable to maintain the compatibility with DVD. To realize the compatibility, we have developed the Phase Shift Element and confirmed its potential by experiment.

Summary

A simple manufacturing process of multilayer recording disks has been developed to make a large capacity optical disk of more than 40 GB, using a short wavelength laser diode and a high NA objective lens. Some existing production facilities for DVD discs are applicable to this process. These disks can be utilized for long time video recording of high-definition TV broadcasting. We have developed a dual-layer rewritable optical disc by this process. We obtained good performance for playback jitter for 46.6 GB capacity with on-groove recording and limit equalizer at a user data transfer rate of 36Mbps. And we obtained good direct overwriting characteristics over 1,000 cycles.

Summary

In 2002, the "limit equalizer" which we developed was utilized in the Blu-ray disc format. The limit equalizer improves signal-to-noise ratio without increasing inter-symbol interference and improves jitter and error rates during operation. The limit equalizer is a nonlinear equalizer and deterioration of individual data patterns had to be verified. We used two methods of computer simulation to study behavior of all data patterns of modulation code. We calculated jitter and error rates on individual data patterns in the case of adding low frequency noise as a degradation factor, and in the case of adding random noise or defocus as the degradation factors. We derived characteristics of both jitter and error rates on combinations of neighboring run-lengths (preceding and succeeding run-lengths). The results confirmed that both jitter and error rates were improved by the use of a limit equalizer throughout the series of data pattern combinations.

Summary

In order to realize the "easy DVD copy" function for HDD/DVD hybrid recorders, we developed a new software multiplex module. The software multiplex module has been included in the recorder application software which performs as a user I/F and a system control program. We have achieved a maximum DVD copying speed from HDD of 18 times the real time playback speed.

Summary

This document provides information about new defect management technology for rewritable DVD drives. The new defect management scheme is called DRT-DM (Distributed Real-time Defect Management). The DRT-DM is a kind of software defect management, but the drive also assists the defect management. The new defect management scheme is applicable to real-time recording without disabling defect management capability.

Summary

We developed the DVD-Recorder "DVR-77H" with built-in HDD and introduced it to the market in November 2002. The DVR-77H is capable of recording about 102 hours, has a high-speed dubbing function, and supports 4X recording of DVD-R and 2X recording of DVD-RW. To attain such functions, we developed a pickup which includes a high-power laser diode and an LSI which can process high-speed recording.

The author reviewed the various recording formats of the DVD that exists in the market. The recording formats "DVD-R", "DVD-RW", "DVD-RAM" for a DVD recorder were standardized by the DVD forum, and "DVD+R", "DVD+RW" were standardized by the "+RW_Alliance". "DVD-R" and "DVD-RW" are considered to be excellently compatible with the "DVD-ROM" format, and will work on general DVD players.

Summary

Users have access to many TV programs easily in recent years with the benefit of large and cheap storage media, such as HDD, DVD-RW. However users are too busy to watch TV. Therefore, a system to play users' favorite content quickly would be useful. The author proposes a method for segmenting News programs into every topic by detecting the title overlay. Segmented news program can generate a topic menu, then the user can see their favorite topic quickly by using the topic menu. In this paper, the author explains how to segment News programs, and shows the experimental results.

Summary

This system has been developed to apply XML, database and automated layout technologies to document production and management. Using this system, the structure and text of a document are contained separately in a database, enabling content to be shared among several documents. The database can also be used to manage multiple languages, generating Spanish, French and other languages from an original English document. Finally, text can be extracted from the database, XML-tagged documents created, and page layout automated.

Summary

The Corporate R&D Laboratories play an important role to devELop technologies from device to system that may become Pioneer's core competence in the future. The author depicted the outlines of R&D activities at the Corporate R&D Laboratories and presented some stories seen behind the curtain.

Summary

The Author proposed a method for detecting chord progressions quickly from the waveform of music and its application to searching similar types of music making use of their comparative calculation. Although the chord progressions are key elements which will create and distinguish the similarity of music, it will be important for the purpose of searching music to analyze the transition of chord progressions over time rather than to calculate absolute values for them correctly, because it will be necessary in searching music to deal with a large number of comparative calculations. In this article, the author proposed a method for normalizing and compressing values of chord progressions that would be detected from the waveform, and tried high speed searching of similar types of music with similarity of chord progressions by taking advantage of the law of harmony. As a result of an experiment taking some popular music and making the partial waveform of this music into an input signal, the same music was detected correctly 90 percent of the time, and 70 percent of the time for a cover or BGM version of the music, if the input were a characteristic part of the music.

Summary

A method to control the spatial impression in sound reproduction within a small space has been developed. We found that a psychological scale can be represented by a linear combination of energy distribution on a time-frequency plane calculated from an impulse response. We have developed a sound field control method based on objective measurement and tested the validity of this method through experiments on an actual sound field.

Summary

We developed a H.264 real-time TS decoding system, with real-time TS decoding of H.264 that is capable of D1 full resolution at 30FPS, and an H.264 TS multiplex tool to create TS streams. The document describes the outline of the system with a technical description.

Summary

Pioneer put AV multichannel amplifiers and DVD players which included i.LINK as an audio digital interface on the market for the first time in the world in the autumn of 2002. This audio i.LINK was developed based on many IEEE1394 standards enacted in the 1394 Trade Association and the DVD forum.
This paper is a technical explanation of the products concerning some important items in those standards related to the development of audio i.LINK. Since it also refers to the process and background of standardization and the study of the DVD forum, the authors believe it will be helpful to engineers who would develop audio i.LINK in the future.

Summary

Image quality of plasma displays (PDPs) is dependent on the performances of panel, driving method, video processing and so on. High image quality requires their high performances and the optimization of each technology to each other. Pioneer is developing and producing PDPs from the panel device to the finished TV set, and the image quality of Pioneer's PDPs is known to be at the highest level. In this paper, the following technologies for high image quality are explained.
・Panels with T-shape electrode and WAFFLE rib: high luminance and high contrast
・CLEAR (High-Contrast, Low Energy Address and Reduction of False Contour) driving method: 5.7 billion-color image reproduction, smooth gradation even on a dark image region, and no dynamic false contours
・Original video processing technologies optimized for the high performance panels: natural and high quality image
・Direct color filter: reduction of reflectance, improvement of color purity and 20 % improvement of bright-room contrast ratio
The highest image quality in the world is the goal of the PDP technologies in Pioneer. We should develop new technologies and improve these technologies in the future.

Summary

We have developed a loudspeaker which uses the super conductive phenomenon in order to improve the loudspeaker efficiency. Its construction is the inductive type, with no surround and no spider, and the secondary coil is one turn coil made of the super conductive material. We obtained about 100dB SPL with a 20cm cone when the coil reached the temperature of liquid nitrogen and became a super conductor. We investigated its motion using the equivalent circuit of an inductive loudspeaker. The result revealed that under ideal conditions it provided steady velocity drive and improved both the conversion efficiency and sound pressure level.

Summary

This paper presents the essential requirements of a speaker system for accurate reproduction of multichannel audio contents. Considering the importance of the timbre, phase and directivity matching in the surround system, this outlines the key points in selecting the speaker for each front, rear, center, and subwoofer channel.

Summary

The vehicle cabin has a particular specification for acoustics. The "RS speaker" series was developed for pure sound reproduction with multi systems in the vehicle cabin. For "gpure sound", transient, wide range and less unnecessary resonance are extremely important. The report describes mainly the engineering struggles faced in these important tasks.

Summary

We developed and introduced the DIGITAL CORDLESS SURROUND HEADPHONE "SE-DIR1000C" to the domestic market in July 2002. Furthermore, the inexpensive and lightweight "SE-DIR800C" was introduced to the domestic market in October 2003, to North America in May 2004, and to Europe in June 2004.
Using only 2 channels, this DIGITAL CORDLESS SURROUND HEADPHONE reproduces a multichannel surround sound, as well as using digital infrared audio transmission technology.

Summary

Pioneer's Speaker Engineering Department belongs to the Home Entertainment Business Company and has the responsibility to design loudspeakers for home use AV products. Pioneer was founded as a loudspeaker company and has a long history of developing a vast array of loudspeaker designs. The author presents Pioneer's Speaker Engineering Department's history, some of our production loudspeaker designs and the technology of loudspeaker development.

Summary

We have developed an application for Pioneer's car navigation system, called "Drive Planner". This application helps make up a drive plan according to the driver's taste and supports the driver until they arrive at their final destination.
The Drive Planner has three functions, namely recommendation of the destination(s), creation of the plan, and management of the itinerary.
"Recommendation of destination(s)" : The system can recommend tourist spots and display them on the screen taking into account various situations such as traveling companion and the season.
"Creation of drive plan" : The tourist spots chosen by the user are then arranged to form an efficient itinerary in consideration of the time required to travel between the tourist spots, their opening hours, and the expected time to stay at each place.
"Management of itinerary" : The actual travel is compared with the plan in real time, and the system notifies any delays to the driver. The Drive Planner recommends changes in the plan if the system judges it necessary to do so.
The concept of the Drive Planner is to understand the driver's preferences so that it can support a pleasant driving experience.

Summary

We have developed an application for the Music Server in our latest Car Navigation System, named "Feeling Play". It works as a Music Recommendation System that can learn a variety of users' preferences.
This application can automatically extract some musical features that we call "Music Feature" from a CD when inserted into the CD-ROM drive. The user can then enjoy the music in the Music Server according to their mood by selecting a keyword such as "Bright", "Exciting", "Quiet", "Sad" and "Healing", which will be determined by the above musical features. The system also has the ability to learn how a user may feel by listening to those types of music and to recommend music properly.

Summary

To predict and prevent drivers from falling asleep at the wheel, we have developed a heartbeat sensor to detect how sleepy a driver is. Sleepiness, which a driver might be unaware of, is accompanied by a decreasing heart rate. Then, as the driver begins to feel sleepy, high frequency (HF) harmonic component of the variability of the heart rate rises. To evaluate the sensor performance, we compared its output to the subjective sleepiness felt by subjects driving on a highway. Our results indicate that practical use of the sensor should be feasible.

Summary

We have developed an AM/FM Tuner System for automobile use. This system consists of 2 LSI packages, that is, a Front End LSI and a Back End LSI. The former is implemented using analog technology, and the latter is implemented by digital processing such as an ASIC for the IF signal.
The main features of this system are the following.
a) We have developed digital signal processing technology for an analog based receiver in order to improve reception quality.
b) In order to make it compact, this system has 2 functional LSI packages.
c) The system is smaller and available at lower cost.
d) The tuner core module is available for all audio products.
Pioneer makes possible a variety of products and markets thanks to this Digital Tuner System.
We believe that this system makes a contribution towards competitive market prices and more advanced products.

Summary

We have developed the CarrozzeriaX ODR pure-digital amplifiers RS-A9x and RS-A7x with advanced capabilities of car interior sound field control and outstanding basic performance, and introduced them into the market in April 2004.
The RS-9x realizes high fidelity and highly precise sound field controls by using FIR type filtering with 80k taps.
Along with the RS-7x, it has a high precision D/A converter, and four channel amplifiers designed for high resolution and quick response.

Summary

We present an improved in-car sound reproduction system, which has a clearer sound image by the direct sounds and a smoother frequency response by the reflected sounds. The reflected sounds which characterize the in-car sound field are controlled by analyzing the time-domain characteristics as well as the previously measured frequency-domain response.

Summary

TS-W5000SPL has been developed for use in the SPL competition that is held to compete for the maximum SPL (Sound Pressure Level) in a car.
We collected information from various sources and reflected the comments in a large number of trials.
Some new technologies have been developed through those trials as the solutions of the many problems found when reproducing High SPL.
Those new technologies, such as Mesh insert surround, are also used for mass production models.

Summary

Magnesium is well known as one of the lightest metals and it has high internal loss. So it attracts great attention as the ideal material for speaker diaphragms. But it is difficult to press into thin sheet metal and rusts easily. We developed a magnesium diaphragm using new pressing technology for thin magnesium sheets and new rust proof treatment, and used this to make a high quality tweeter unit.

Summary

The implementation and practice of a process for software development based on CMM were performed, and improvements were made which introduce visibility to software development.

Summary

As an associated company of the Pioneer Group, INCREMENT P Corporation (iPC) supplies digital map data for in-vehicle navigation systems to Pioneer Corporation in collaboration with the Mobile Entertainment Company.
INCREMENT P Corporation was founded as a software developer by the Pioneer Group. Since then, iPC has been involved in depth in the in-car navigation business with Pioneer Corporation, and at the same time, iPC has increased its clientele of navigation system manufacturers other than Pioneer. Moreover, not only is iPC engaged in digital map production and development for in-vehicle navigation as its primary business, but iPC also supplies original digital map software, an online map service, and Electronic Commerce enterprise support services.
Furthermore, iPC extends its business to providing LBS(Location Based Service) solutions as well as offering a software map development kit, telematics server management and many other services. Through its business, INCREMENT P Corporation has always contributed valuable software technologies as well as engineers with such knowledge and skills to the industry.