Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operating an optical drive system capable of reproducing/recording information from/to an optical carrier (30), wherein a position error and a speed error of a radiation spot (12, 53) on the carrier has been created due to an unreliable error signal which has been generated due to a surface defect (52). The method includes the steps of registering values of e.g. servo signals, determining the occurrence of a defect using a defect detector DEFO (22), generating a first and a second compensation signal and applying these compensation signals to the control system (10) of the optical drive system. The first compensation signal is capable of reducing the speed error and the second compensation signal is capable of reducing the position error. Thus, the application of the compensation signals immediately after the unreliable error signals reduces the position error and the speed error of the focussed radiation spot (12, 53).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operating an optical drive system (12) capable of reproducing/recording information from/to an optical carrier (1), wherein the optical drive system includes a focus controller (PID) for controlling a focus actuator (4), and a focus memory loop (ML) for applying a stored correction signal to the focus actuator (4). The method aims at avoiding impacts between the focussing means (3) and the optical carrier (1), by gradually stopping the focus control loop in response to an event, such as a user initiated ejection of the optical carrier. The gradual stop of the focus control loop is achieved by gradually reducing a memory loop parameter of the focus memory loop (ML), and by gradually reducing a controller parameter of an integrating part (I) of the focus controller (PID). It is an advantage of the invention that the phase of the stored correction signal is synchronized with the angular position of optical carrier (1) during the gradual stopping.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a positioner configured to position a first part of the apparatus relative to a second part of the apparatus, the positioner including a motor having a motor position dependent motor constant defining a relation between a motor input and a motor output, and a control system to drive the motor, the control system including a set-point generator to provide a reference signal based on a desired position of the first part relative to the second part, and a controller to provide a drive signal to the motor based on the reference signal, wherein the controller includes a compensator which is configured to at least partially compensate the drive signal for the motor position dependent motor constant. The invention further relates to a positioner, a method to optimize the positioning system, and a method to derive a motor position dependent motor constant.

Abstract: A device is for scribing a visible label on the medium. The medium (11), for example an optical disc, has a label side provided with a radiation sensitive layer for creating the visible label via a beam of radiation. The device has a head (22) and a positioning unit (25) for radially positioning a scribing spot, which unit has a course positioning system by movements of the head and a fine positioning system. The device has a generator unit (32) for, during at least one boundary trace of the substantially parallel traces which precedes or succeeds a head movement, temporarily applying a broadening signal (35) to the fine positioning system for broadening the boundary trace in the transverse direction. This has the advantage that unwritten annular areas called white bands, which may occur due to mismatch of the head movement and the fine positioning system, are reduced or prevented.

Abstract: A device is for scribing a visible label on the medium. The medium (11), for example an optical disc, has a label side provided with a radiation sensitive layer for creating the visible label via a beam of radiation. The device has a head (22) and a positioning unit (25) for radially positioning a scribing spot, which unit has a course positioning system by movements of the head and a fine positioning system. The device has a generator unit (32) for, during at least one boundary trace of the substantially parallel traces which precedes or succeeds a head movement, temporarily applying a broadening signal (35) to the fine positioning system for broadening the boundary trace in the transverse direction. This has the advantage that unwritten annular areas called white bands, which may occur due to mismatch of the head movement and the fine positioning system, are reduced or prevented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical recording apparatus capable of writing information on an optical medium in a writing mode and capable of writing a label image on an optical medium in a label mode. The apparatus has a displaceable optical head with a radiation source capable of emitting radiation. The apparatus further contains one or more processing means adapted to: analyze radiation reflected from the medium, control the radial position of the optical head, control the focal point of the radiation relative to the optical medium, and control the radiation source. In label mode, the optical recording apparatus is adapted to turn off at least one of the processing means for a pre-defined period of time in order to reduce the power consumption and in turn the temperature of the apparatus.

Abstract: A device is for scribing a visible label on the medium. The medium (11), for example an optical disc, has a label side provided with a radiation sensitive layer for creating the visible label via a beam of radiation. The device has a head (22) for providing the beam and generating a detector signal in dependence of radiation reflected from the medium, and a focus unit (32) for generating a focus control signal for focusing the beam. A label control unit (33) controls the scribing in dependence of label data. The focus unit (32) detects a focus error by including a focus excitation signal in the focus control signal and detecting a deviation in the detector signal in dependence of the focus excitation signal. The label control unit (33) is for controlling the focus unit in dependence on the label data to detect the focus error during said scribing and without interrupting said scribing.

Abstract: An apparatus for scanning a track on a record carrier has a head for scanning the track and generating a read signal. The tilt between the head and the record carrier (11) is compensated via a tilt servo loop. Thereto the head is provided with tilt compensating actuators (42). A measure of the tilt is jitter in the read signal generated by a front end (43) and filter (44). A wobble generator (40) provides a wobble signal to the actuators and to an input of multiplier (45) for synchronous detection of the jitter. The output of the multiplier (45) is coupled to a low pass filter (46) for generating a tilt error signal coupled to a tilt controller (47) for generating a tilt control signal.

Abstract: A method for restoring focusing of a laser beam on a track of an optical disc for reading or writing data from/to the track when the focusing of said beam onto said track has been lost, wherein two categories, A and B, of focus lost causes are defined, A being due to an external shock and B due to other reasons and wherein a focus re-capture is performed with the use of focus control information stored in a memory only for a category B focus lost.

Abstract: An optical pickup actuator for low building height includes a suspended lensholder (101) with a lenssystem (102), focusing (106a, 106b, 106c 106d) and tracking coils (109) and magnets (107a, 107b, 107c) for cooperation with the focusing and tracking coils. The focusing and tracking coils may be arranged for tilting the lensholder in the actuator. The lowest entrance position for a radiation beam to enter a beam entrance (113) at a side of the actuator is not determined by the height and location of the coils.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of optimizing an optical drive system 101 capable of recording and/or reproducing data to and from an optical carrier 102, such as the high number of different types present e.g. a CD, DVD-SL, DVD-DL, HD-DVD or BD carrier More specifically, the invention relates to improved radial tracking error signal in the optical drive system and thereby alternatively or additionally also improved carrier recognition in the optical drive system. Disc recognition may be a cumbersome procedure due to influences such as the high number of carrier types present, the tolerances specified for and quality of the carriers, the tolerances within the optical system. E.g.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical apparatus capable of reproducing/recording information from/to an optical carrier, e.g. a DVD or BD disk. The apparatus has control means for positioning/focusing a radiation beam (5) on the carrier and photo detection means for detection of radiation reflected from the carrier. Additionally, defect detection means (DEFO) for detection of surface defect areas (A1, A2) can indicate where surface defects, e.g. scratches etc., are present. Processing means are adapted for integrating, and preferably differentiate, error signals (RE, FE) immediately after the beam (5.b) is exiting a defect area (A1) for generating adaptive control signals (AD_RE, AD_FE). The optical system is adapted to apply the adaptive control signals (AD_RE, AD_FE) when the beam is positioned in the defect area (A1) again, thereby reducing off-track deviation as the beam (5.d) exits the defect area (A1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operating an optical drive system capable of reproducing/recording information from/to an optical carrier (30), wherein a position error and a speed error of a radiation spot (12, 53) on the carrier has been created due to an unreliable error signal which has been generated due to a surface defect (52). The method includes the steps of registering values of e.g. servo signals, determining the occurrence of a defect using a defect detector DEFO (22), generating a first and a second compensation signal and applying these compensation signals to the control system (10) of the optical drive system. The first compensation signal is capable of reducing the speed error and the second compensation signal is capable of reducing the position error. Thus, the application of the compensation signals immediately after the unreliable error signals reduces the position error and the speed error of the focussed radiation spot (12, 53).

Abstract: An optical playback or recording device is equipped with mass-unbalance detection means (20) for detecting unbalance on the record carrier (2). Mass-unbalance causes vibration and sound in the optical device when the record carrier (2) is rotated at a relatively high speed. When mass-unbalance is detected, the speed may be reduced to reduce the vibration and sound in the optical device. The mass-unbalance detection means (20) performs the following steps to detect mass-unbalance: a) determining the maximum value Umax1 of the actuator control signal (AS) at a rotational speed ?1; b) determining the maximum value Umax2 of the actuator control signal (AS) at a rotational speed ?2; c) comparing Formula (I) with Formula (II). If these values are substantially equal, then the effect of mass-unbalance is small, otherwise the effect of mass-unbalance is too great and the speed may have to be reduced U max ? ? 1 ? 1 2 ? ? with ? ? U max ? ? 2 ? 2 2 .

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tilt control device and method for an optical disc player, wherein an output offset of a tilt detecting means (3) is calibrated by using an output of a focus controller (7). Since the offset is calibrated based on the focus controlling output, the calibration can be performed for all written and non-written discs. As an alternative, a tilt control with high accuracy can be performed by adjusting a tilt frame based on at least two measurements of the controlling output of said focus control means at different radial positions. Thereby, the disc can be positioned in a radial tilt zero position with the aid of the focus controlling output. Now, the tilt detecting means is no longer required for tilt adjustment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tilt control device and method for an optical disc player, wherein an output offset of a tilt detecting means (3) is calibrated by using an output of a focus controller (7). Since the offset is calibrated based on the focus controlling output, the calibration can be performed for all written and non-written discs. As an alternative, a tilt control with high accuracy can be performed by adjusting a tilt frame based on at least two measurements of the controlling output of said focus control means at different radial positions. Thereby, the disc can be positioned in a radial tilt zero position with the aid of the focus controlling output. Now, the tilt detecting means is no longer required for tilt adjustment.