Abstract: The present invention uses a stationary medium and a stationary optical pickup unit. The stationary optical pickup unit has a laser, which sends a beam of light through an objective lens, which focuses the beam on a point on the track of the stationary medium. The beam is then reflected toward a re-directing surface (e.g., prism) which diverts it to a photodiode array. Instead of the entire optical pickup moving to follow the track as in conventional systems, only the objective lens inside of the optical pickup moves. The position of the objective lens determines where on the information track the laser will reach. Depending upon where the laser beam reaches, the reflected light beam received by the photodetector array changes. This, in turn, affects the amount of light sensed by each photodetector in the array, thereby causing the output of each of the four photodetectors to change each time the objective lens moves.

Abstract: An optical pickup is described with an electronically adjustable beam spot size for reading optical media. Two proximal light sources are impinged on a selected track of the media and the reflected light is registered by photodetector arrays. The electrical signal generated from the leading detector is delayed, based on a distance between beams and the speed of the media, to achieve a desired amount of temporal coincidence with the electrical signal associated with the lagging beam. The electrical signals are combined, such as in a multiplier circuit, to create a third electrical signal whose response to a data bit can be adjusted to a shorter duration than the responses from either first or second beams. Therefore, the effective spot size may be electronically controlled, wherein light sources of longer wavelengths may be utilized, and optical data storage systems may be configured for reading media having different optical characteristics.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for high-speed searching of an optical medium having a plurality of tracks. Light spots are directed by the apparatus onto the optical medium. As the spots traverse across the tracks in one of a first direction and a second direction, a photodetector unit receives reflected components of the light spots, thus forming respective electrical signals. Digital shaping circuitry converts the electrical signals into digital signals. A quadrature detector receives the digital signals which are arranged in quadrature relationship to each other, and produces an up-count signal indicating the light spots are traversing the tracks in the first direction and a down-count signal indicating the light spots are traversing the tracks in the second direction. A counter counts the up-count signal and the down-count signal to determine a number of tracks traversed by the light spots.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for suspending the operation of a rotating optical media player that uses simplified and efficient logic circuitry is described. When an operator initiates a pause operation, for example, by pressing a pause key, the current location of an optical pickup (e.g., a value of the current track ID) is stored. Then, a tracking servo loop is opened and a near zero offset is provided to the input of the tracking actuator. The condition of the optical disk system is then maintained in a “wait” state until the operator decides to end the pause process by selecting an alternate operation, such as “Play”, “Search”, or some other functions. When an alternate operation is received, the tracking servo loop is closed. The system then enters a search mode to reposition the optical head to the position indicated by the track ID, which was previously saved. Finally, the selected function command is activated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for high-speed searching of an optical medium having a plurality of tracks. Light spots are directed by the apparatus onto the optical medium. As the spots traverse across the tracks in one of a first direction and a second direction, a photodetector unit receives reflected components of the light spots, thus forming respective electrical signals. Digital shaping circuitry converts the electrical signals into digital signals. A quadrature detector receives the digital signals which are arranged in quadrature relationship to each other, and produces an up-count signal indicating the light spots are traversing the tracks in the first direction and a down-count signal indicating the light spots are traversing the tracks in the second direction. A counter counts the up-count signal and the down-count signal to determine a number of tracks traversed by the light spots.

Abstract: An apparatus and method conducts a high-speed search on an optical medium having a plurality of tracks on which information is recorded. At least a first light spot and a second light spot are directed by the apparatus onto the optical medium. The light spots traverse across the tracks in one of a first direction and a second direction. A photodetector unit receives a reflected component of the first light spot to form a first electrical signal and a reflected component of the second light spot to form a second electrical signal. Digital shaping circuitry respectively converts the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal into a first digital signal and a second digital signal. A quadrature detector is configured to receive the first digital signal and the second digital signal. The first digital signal and the second digital signal are arranged in a quadrature relationship to each other.

Abstract: The present invention uses a stationary medium and a stationary optical pickup unit. The stationary optical pickup unit has a laser, which sends a beam of light through an objective lens, which focuses the beam on a point on the track of the stationary medium. The beam is then reflected toward a re-directing surface (e.g., prism) which diverts it to a photodiode array. Instead of the entire optical pickup moving to follow the track as in conventional systems, only the objective lens inside of the optical pickup moves. The position of the objective lens determines where on the information track the laser will reach. Depending upon where the laser beam reaches, the reflected light beam received by the photodetector array changes. This, in turn, affects the amount of light sensed by each photodetector in the array, thereby causing the output of each of the four photodetectors to change each time the objective lens moves.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for suspending the operation of a rotating optical media player that uses simplified and efficient logic circuitry is described. When an operator initiates a pause operation, for example, by pressing a pause key, the current location of an optical pickup (e.g., a value of the current track ID) is stored. Then, a tracking servo loop is opened and a near zero offset is provided to the input of the tracking actuator. The condition of the optical disk system is then maintained in a “wait” state until the operator decides to end the pause process by selecting an alternate operation, such as “Play”, “Search”, or some other functions. When an alternate operation is received, the tracking servo loop is closed. The system then enters a search mode to reposition the optical head to the position indicated by the track ID, which was previously saved. Finally, the selected function command is activated.

Abstract: An optical pickup is described with an electronically adjustable beam spot size for reading optical media. Two proximal light sources are impinged on a selected track of the media and the reflected light is registered by photodetector arrays. The electrical signal generated from the leading detector is delayed, based on a distance between beams and the speed of the media, to achieve a desired amount of temporal coincidence with the electrical signal associated with the lagging beam. The electrical signals are combined, such as in a multiplier circuit, to create a third electrical signal whose response to a data bit can be adjusted to a shorter duration than the responses from either first or second beams. Therefore, the effective spot size may be electronically controlled, wherein light sources of longer wavelengths may be utilized, and optical data storage systems may be configured for reading media having different optical characteristics.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for focus control of a beam of radiant energy, wherein a detector of the beam has first and second outputs responsive to a position of the beam. A circuit is coupled to the outputs of the detector for producing an error signal representing a displacement of the focus from a predetermined position, wherein the error signal has a periodic characteristic relative to the displacement. A servo responsive to the error signal restores the displaced beam to the predetermined position. A local feedback loop is coupled to the outputs of the detector, and includes first and second periodic function generators, each responsive to the error signal. The second periodic function generator has an output that differs from an output of the first periodic function generator by a phase angle, preferably 90 degrees. A first multiplier multiplies the first output of the detector by the output of the first periodic function generator.

Abstract: An technique is disclosed for focus control of a beam of radiant energy, wherein a detector of the beam has first and second outputs responsive to a position of the beam. A circuit is coupled to the outputs of the detector for producing an error signal representing a displacement of the focus from a predetermined position, wherein the error signal has a periodic characteristic relative to the displacement. A servo responsive to the error signal restores the displaced beam to the predetermined position. A local feedback loop is coupled to the outputs of the detector, and includes first and second periodic function generators, each responsive to the error signal. The second periodic function generator has an output that differs from an output of the first periodic function generator by a phase angle, preferably 90 degrees. A first multiplier multiplies the first output of the detector by the output of the first periodic function generator.

Abstract: Control apparatus and method are disclosed for shifting focus on a multilayered optical medium using closed loop servo operation. The outputs of an astigmatic optical pickup are independently modified by a control signal generator according to a predetermined time varying pattern to produce a deceptive error signal that changes the apparent focal offset seen by a servo circuit. While in closed loop mode, the servo tracks the shifting apparent focal plane from a first information layer of the medium toward a second information layer. Thereafter the control signals are removed, and the servo locks focus on the second information region.

Abstract: The present invention allows the light beam of an optical disc storage device to radially move between different information tracks of an optical disc while the storage device tracking servo loop remains in a continuous closed loop mode of operation. The invention operates to radially move a light beam from one information track to another during a closed loop mode of operation by activating two control signals introduced into the closed tracking servo loop to create a phantom track center that radially moves across the optical disc. Because the tracking servo loop is in a closed loop mode of operation, the tracking servo operates to keep the light beam centered on the point that the tracking servo considers to be the center of an information track; in this case the phantom track center. Therefore, the tracking servo causes the light beam to radially move across the disc in a closed loop mode of operation by keeping the light beam centered on the moving phantom track center.

Abstract: The present invention allows the light beam of an optical disc storage device to radially move between different information tracks of an optical disc while the storage device tracking servo loop remains in a continuous closed loop mode of operation. The invention operates to radially move a light beam from one information track to another during a closed loop mode of operation by activating two control signals introduced into the closed tracking servo loop to create a phantom track center that radially moves across the optical disc. Because the tracking servo loop is in a closed loop mode of operation, the tracking servo operates to keep the light beam centered on the point that the tracking servo considers to be the center of an information track; in this case the phantom track center. Therefore, the tracking servo causes the light beam to radially move across the disc in a closed loop mode of operation by keeping the light beam centered on the moving phantom track center.

Abstract: The present invention allows the light beam of an optical disc storage device to radially move between different information tracks of an optical disc while the storage device tracking servo loop remains in a continuous closed loop mode of operation. The invention operates to radially move a light beam from one information track to another during a closed loop mode of operation by activating two control signals introduced into the closed tracking servo loop to create a phantom track center that radially moves across the optical disc. Because the tracking servo loop is in a closed loop mode of operation, the tracking servo operates to keep the light beam centered on the point that the tracking servo considers to be the center of an information track; in this case the phantom track center. Therefore, the tracking servo causes the light beam to radially move across the disc in a closed loop mode of operation by keeping the light beam centered on the moving phantom track center.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for control of a beam of radiant energy, wherein a detector of the beam has first and second outputs responsive to a position of the beam. A circuit is coupled to the outputs of the detector for producing an error signal representing a displacement of the beam from a predetermined position, wherein the error signal has a periodic characteristic relative to the displacement. A servo responsive to the error signal restores the displaced beam to the predetermined position. A local feedback loop is coupled to the outputs of the detector, and includes first and second periodic function generators, each responsive to the error signal. The second periodic function generator has an output that differs from an output of the first periodic function generator by a phase angle, preferably 90 degrees. A first multiplier multiplies the first output of the detector by the output of the first periodic function generator.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the spacing between information tracks while recording information on an optical disc that does not have pre-manufactured information tracks. The invention employs a precision reference scale to guide the position of information tracks recorded on an optical disc. The reference scale is a linear strip with spaced optical tick marks. The spacing of the optical tick marks on the reference scale directly correlates to track pitch between information tracks recorded on the optical disc. The invention utilizes a first optical system for reading-from and writing-to an optical disc. A second optical system is used for detecting optical tick marks on the reference scale. The first optical system and the second optical system share common optical components. Optical components in common to both the first and second optical systems include a light source, a diffraction grating, a field lens, and a beam splitter.

Abstract: In a data reproducing apparatus, an optical pick-up is radially movable with respect to, and recovers information from, an information storage member. A motor rotates an information storage member. A spindle servo controls the speed of rotation of the motor in response to a timing signal, to provide constant linear velocity between the information storage member and the optical pick-up. A signal processor creates a recovered timing signal from the information recovered by the optical pick-up, and passes the recovered timing signal to a switching circuit. During normal playback, the switching circuit passes the recovered timing signal to the spindle servo as the timing signal. During search, a controller directs an oscillator to output a reference timing signal to the switching circuit. A controller directs the switching circuit to pass the reference timing signal to the spindle servo as the timing signal while the optical pick-up is moving radially with respect to the information storage member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectably retrieving information from any of a plurality of spirally-formed information tracks formed in a video disc by means of controlling a carriage for translating the video disc in a forward or a reverse direction relative to radiant beam information recovery means in a video disc player. Each information track is identified by a unique address and means are provided for selecting the address of a particular track to be retrieved. A prescribed sequence of drive signals is applied to a carriage motor dependent on the distance to be traveled by the carriage to retrieve the selected information, the drive signals being successively stepped downward to intermittently redetermine carriage motor speed as predetermined location thresholds are reached during carriage translation.

Abstract: A video disc player is described for use with a video disc having frequency modulated video information recorded thereon in the form of a plurality of concentric circles or a single spiral. The information track comprises successively positioned light reflective and light non-reflective regions. A focused light beam is caused to be positioned over the center of an information track and the light reflected from the information track is gathered by an objective lens for application to electronic circuitry for recovering the recorded frequency modulated video signals. Radial tracking means are described for maintaining the focused light spot to impinge upon the center of an information track. Lens focusing means are described for positioning the objective lens at the optimum focused position above the information track for gathering the maximum amount of reflected light from the information track.