Patents Assigned to Discovision Associates
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Patent number: 7936659Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2002Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventor: Ludwig Ceshkovsky
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Patent number: 7420893Abstract: The present invention provides a system for causing an optical beam to impinge on a spot on an optical medium, while keeping an optical head apparatus in an essentially stationary position, such that it eliminates the need for a tracking function to move an optical head apparatus in order to direct an optical beam between tracks or to an location on the optical medium.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2004Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventor: Robison J. Bryan
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Patent number: 7342852Abstract: The present invention obtains a more optimal focus in at least two dimensions (such as axial and radial dimensions) by setting or keeping a focus in at least a first dimension (such as both axial and radial dimensions) and detecting and adjusting the focus in a second dimension (such as radial dimension) so that it can be brought to the same focal plane as the focus for the at least first dimension (such as both axial and radial dimension). An actuator lens assembly is used to continually adjust the focus for either primarily the first dimension or primarily the second dimension, using a feedback loop. In one embodiment of the present invention, certain photocell(s), (such as photocells E and F that are normally used for tracking) are compared to certain photocell(s), (such as photocells A and B and C and D) in order to derive a Radial Focus Error (RFE) signal, by observing radial spot size.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2005Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventor: Robison J. Bryan
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Patent number: 7230986Abstract: A pipeline video decoder and decompression system handles a plurality of separately encoded bit streams arranged as a single serial bit stream of digital bits and having separately encoded pairs of control codes and corresponding data carried in the serial bit stream. The pipeline system employs a plurality of interconnected stages to decode and decompress the single bit stream, including a start code detector. When in a search mode, the start code detector searches for a specific start code corresponding to one of multiple compression standards. The start code detector responding to the single serial bit stream generates control tokens and data tokens. A respective one of the tokens includes a plurality of data words. Each data word has an extension bit which indicates a presence of additional words therein. The data words are thereby unlimited in number.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2001Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventors: Adrian P Wise, Martin W Sotheran, William P Robbins, Anthony M Jones, Helen R Finch, Kevin J. Boyd, Anthony Peter J Clayton
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Patent number: 7149811Abstract: A pipeline video decoder and decompression system handles a plurality of separately encoded bit streams arranged as a single serial bit stream of digital bits and having separately encoded pairs of control codes and corresponding data carried in the serial bit stream, A reconfigurable decode and parser processing means positioned in certain of the stages is responsive to a recognized control token and reconfigures a particular stage to handle an identified data token.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2001Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventors: Adrian P Wise, Martin W Sotheran, William P Robbins, Anthony M Jones, Helen R Finch, Kevin J Boyd, Anthony Peter J Claydon
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Patent number: 7095783Abstract: A pipeline video decoder and decompression system handles a plurality of separately encoded bit streams arranged as a single serial bit stream of digital bits and having separately encoded pairs of control codes and corresponding data carried in the serial bit stream. The pipeline system employs a plurality of interconnected stages to decode and decompress the single bit stream, including a start code detector. When in a search mode, the start code detector searches for a specific start code corresponding to one of multiple compression standards. The start code detector responding to the single serial bit stream generates control tokens and data tokens. A respective one of the tokens includes a plurality of data words. Each data word has an extension bit which indicates a presence of additional words therein. The data words are thereby unlimited in number.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2000Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventors: Martin W Sotheran, William P Robbins, Anthony M Jones, Helen R Finch, Kevin J Boyd, Anthony Peter J Claydon, Adrian P Wise
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Publication number: 20060181973Abstract: The present invention obtains a more optimal focus in at least two dimensions (such as axial and radial dimensions) by setting or keeping a focus in at least a first dimension (such as both axial and radial dimensions) and detecting and adjusting the focus in a second dimension (such as radial dimension) so that it can be brought to the same focal plane as the focus for the at least first dimension (such as both axial and radial dimension). An actuator lens assembly is used to continually adjust the focus for either primarily the first dimension or primarily the second dimension, using a feedback loop. In one embodiment of the present invention, certain photocell(s), (such as photocells E and F that are normally used for tracking) are compared to certain photocell(s), (such as photocells A and B and C and D) in order to derive a Radial Focus Error (RFE) signal, by observing radial spot size.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2005Publication date: August 17, 2006Applicant: DISCOVISION ASSOCIATESInventor: Robison Bryan
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Publication number: 20060133229Abstract: The present invention provides a system for causing an optical beam to impinge on a spot on an optical medium, while keeping an optical head apparatus in an essentially stationary position, such that it eliminates the need for a tracking function to move an optical head apparatus in order to direct an optical beam between tracks or to an location on the optical medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2004Publication date: June 22, 2006Applicant: DISCOVISION ASSOCIATESInventor: Robison Bryan
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Patent number: 7061853Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2001Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventor: Ludwig Ceshkovsky
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Patent number: 7050381Abstract: An optical system for accessing a storage medium. The system combines two kinds of laser diode, abandons some unnecessary optical elements used in the prior art, and further uses a Penta prism to fold the optical path. Moreover, the optical system uses a CZBO prism to locate the two laser diodes abreast of each other. Thus, the space of the optical system is reduced, and the optical system is more compact.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2002Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventors: Vincent Sun, Darren Chen
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Patent number: 7038979Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2004Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventor: Ludwig Ceshkovsky
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Patent number: 6982935Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2002Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventor: Ludwig Ceshkovsky
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Publication number: 20050232117Abstract: The present invention is a numerical aperture device and method. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a beam from a light source is caused to contact a numerical aperture (NA) plate. The NA plate has a first and second surface. The first surface splits the beam into two twin rays and directs the twin beams into adjacent and oppositely oriented re-direction elements within the first surface of the NA plate. The two twin rays are directed in opposite directions from each other (and 90 degrees apart from each other) such that as they traverse a specific distance through an internal area of the NA plate before striking the second surface of the plate. As the twin beams leave the NA plate's second surface they converge together and meet at the location of the medium to produce a spot.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2005Publication date: October 20, 2005Applicant: DISCOVISION ASSOCIATESInventor: Robison Bryan
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Patent number: 6950930Abstract: A pipeline video decoder and decompression system handles a plurality of separately encoded bit streams arranged as a single serial bit stream of digital bits and having separately encoded pairs of control codes and corresponding data carried in the serial bit stream. The pipeline system employs a plurality of interconnected stages to decode and decompress the single bit stream, including a start code detector. When in a search mode, the start code detector searches for a specific start code corresponding to one of multiple compression standards. The start code detector responding to the single serial bit stream generates control tokens and data tokens. A respective one of the tokens includes a plurality of data words. Each data word has an extension bit which indicates a presence of additional words therein. The data words are thereby unlimited in number.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2001Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventors: Adrian P Wise, Martin W Sotheran, William P Robbins, Anthony M Jones, Helen R Finch, Kevin J Boyd, Anthony Peter J Claydon
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Patent number: 6910125Abstract: A pipeline video decoder and decompression system handles a plurality of separately encoded bit streams arranged as a single serial bit stream of digital bits and having separately encoded pairs of control codes and corresponding data carried in the serial bit stream. The pipeline system employs a plurality of interconnected stages to decode and decompress the single bit stream, including a start code detector. When in a search mode, the start code detector searches for a specific start code corresponding to one of multiple compression standards. The start code detector responding to the single serial bit stream generates control tokens and data tokens. A respective one of the tokens includes a plurality of data words. Each data word has an extension bit which indicates a presence of additional words therein. The data words are thereby unlimited in number.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2001Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventors: Adrian P. Wise, Martin W. Sotheran, William P. Robbins, Anthony M. Jones, Anthony Peter John Claydon, Kevin Boyd, Helen R. Finch
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Patent number: 6892296Abstract: A pipeline video decoder and decompression system handles a plurality of separately encoded bit streams arranged as a single serial bit stream of digital bits and having separately encoded pairs of control codes and corresponding data carried in the serial bit stream. The pipeline system employs a plurality of interconnected stages to decode and decompress the single bit stream, including a start code detector. When in a search mode, the start code detector searches for a specific start code corresponding to one of multiple compression standards. The start code detector responding to the single serial bit stream generates control tokens and data tokens. A respective one of the tokens includes a plurality of data words. Each data word has an extension bit which indicates a presence of additional words therein. The data words are thereby unlimited in number.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2001Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventors: Adrian P. Wise, Kevin Boyd, Anothy Peter Claydon, William P. Robbins, Helen R. Finch, Martin W. Sotheran, Anthony Mark Jones
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Patent number: 6842407Abstract: The present invention provides a method for guiding a pick-up head to follow an information track. The method comprises the steps of sensing and sending notification of displacement between the pick-up head and the center of the information track, generating a first correction directly proportional to the displacement, generating from the first correction a second correction non-proportional to the displacement, generating a third correction from an amplified tracking error signal and generating a driving force proportional to the sum of the second and third corrections, driving the pick-up head to follow the information track.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2001Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventors: Chin-Shiong Tsai, Chien-Da Chen, Meng-Chang Lin
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Patent number: 6814897Abstract: The invention relates to methods for making mold tools. More particularly, the mold tools are used for molding a resin substrate which has fine pits, i.e., concavities and protuberances. The invention also pertains to a method for manufacturing a resin substrate. Such resin substrates may be used as an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a hard disk, etc., for recording data. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a first metallic (Ni) mold tool (father) is made which is a duplicate of a master substrate, then a resin mold tool (mother) is made which is a duplicate of the first metallic mold tool and finally a second metallic (Ni) mold tool (son) is made which is a duplicate of the resin mold tool. Both the father and son may be referred to a “stamper”. The invention also relates to methods of manufacturing a mold tool for molding the base of an optical disk having at least one signal recording region and at least one non-signal recording region.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2000Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventor: Seiji Morita
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Publication number: 20040190399Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2004Publication date: September 30, 2004Applicant: DISCOVISION ASSOCIATESInventor: Ludwig Ceshkovsky
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Patent number: 6799246Abstract: A memory interface for connecting a bus to memory comprises an input, a buffer, an address input, a generator, and a writer. The input receives a plurality of data words from the bus. The buffer buffers the data words received from the bus. The address input receives from the bus addresses associated with the plurality of data words. The generator generates a series of addresses in the memory into which the buffered data words may be written. The series of addresses are derived from the received addresses. The writer writes the buffered data words into the memory at the generated addresses.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1997Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventors: Adrian P. Wise, Kevin Douglas Dewar, Anthony Mark Jones, Martin William Sotheran, Colin Smith, Helen Rosemary Finch, Anthony Peter J. Claydon, Donald W. Walker Patterson, Mark Barnes, Andrew Peter Kuligowski, William Philip Robbins, Nicholas Birch, David Andrew Barnes