Abstract: The imaging system has two lenses coupled together, wherein both lenses face different sides of the device body. Each lens has a separate image sensor; for example, the first lens is for the front side camera and the second lens is for the back side camera. A single actuator moves both lenses simultaneously. Depending on the imaging direction, either the front side image sensor or the back side image sensor is activated and an image is received through the corresponding lens system. The actuator generates autofocus or image stabilization functions for both cameras.

Abstract: The invention discloses a signal clamping device capable of clamping a signal with a clamp level that is set according to a frequency characteristic of the signal and a method thereof and a related optical storage system. The signal clamping device includes an equalizing unit, a determining unit, and a clamping unit. The equalizing unit is utilized for equalizing the signal and generating an equalized signal. The determining unit is utilized for generating an indication signal according to the equalized signal. The clamping unit is utilized for determining a clamp level according to the indication signal and clamping the signal with the clamp level.

Abstract: In an optical disk device, a technique for AC tilt correction with stability and following capability is provided in which, during an operation of a tracking servo mechanism, a lens shift amount obtained from a tracking control signal or a lens position error signal is measured for each of predetermined angles of rotation of an optical disk, and the measured values are averaged in a radial direction of the optical disk, and a tilt controller corrects an AC tilt based on the resulting average value.

Abstract: Circuitry for controlling mode selection of a CD/DVD reader is described. In one embodiment, the CD/DVD reader has a first device having at least one analog output, a second device having at least one digital input and at least one analog input, and an interface circuit coupling the analog output of the first device to the digital input and the analog input in the second device. The interface circuit includes a circuitry to use a single control signal from the analog output of the first device to control the digital input and the analog input in the second device. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An optical pickup assembly that has flexible beams that support an objective lens for adjustment in a focusing direction and a tracking direction. The flexible beams are used to support and move the objective lens. A controller operates electromagnetic actuators that move the flexible beams.

Abstract: There is provided an optical disk drive that pursues power saving and simultaneously assures data recording quality. A servo processor of the optical disk drive has a low frequency equalizer, a high frequency equalizer, a limiter, and an adder. A limit voltage value of the limiter is set by means of a control command from a system controller. The limit voltage value is set so as to become greater during a data recording period than in a data regeneration period. An output from the adder is supplied as a tracking drive signal to a tracking actuator or as a focus drive signal to a focus actuator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing data is provided. One implementation involves providing a fiber medium for storing data, wherein the fiber medium has a characteristic configured to irreversibly change when exposed to write irradiation. The fiber medium is logically partitioned into cells along the length of the fiber medium. Data is stored in a cell of the fiber medium by exposing the cell to write irradiation to irreversibly change characteristic of the bulk of the cell.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus comprising: a spindle motor configured to drive a turntable on which an optical disc is loaded to rotate; a first substrate on which a first support member rotatably supporting a rotation shaft of the spindle motor is fixed, and on which a second support member is formed at a position adjacent to the spindle motor; a second substrate; an optical pickup device; and a guide member configured to guide the optical pickup device in a radial direction of the optical disc loaded on the turntable, one end of the guide member being supported by the second support member on the first substrate and fixed to a fixing member on the second substrate, and the other end of the guide member being fixed to the fixing member on the second substrate.

Abstract: In an optical element feeding device and an optical pickup unit using the same, in order to make the device compact and light and achieve a stable operation, the device has a main shaft and a sub shaft supporting a movable frame in which an optical element is arranged in such a manner as to be movable in a direction of an optical axis, a stepping motor, a lead screw rotating on the basis of a rotation of the stepping motor, a resin nut engaging with the lead screw and being movable in the direction of the optical axis on the basis of the rotation of the lead screw, and a spring pressing the movable frame in the direction of the optical axis so as to bring the movable frame into contact with the nut, and a cushioning material is provided between the nut and the movable frame so as to connect the nut and the movable frame.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an optical waveguide, a grating for coupling light into the waveguide, and an optical element for splitting a light beam into a plurality of beams that strike the grating at different angles of incidence.

Abstract: There is provided a method for controlling a stepping motor by employing a micro-step mode at deceleration or acceleration of the stepping motor, which moves an optical pickup head in a full step mode or a half step mode, to minimize lens vibration of the optical pickup head. The method includes setting an initial step of the stepping motor, applying a micro-step mode to the stepping motor at the set initial step to move the optical pickup head, and after the initial step, applying a full step mode or a half step mode to the stepping motor to accelerate the optical pickup head by a desired speed. Also, the method includes setting a late step of the stepping motor, applying a full step mode or a half step mode to the stepping motor to decelerate the optical pickup head by a desired speed, and applying a micro-step mode to the stepping motor at the set late step to move the optical pickup head.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method used in an optical disk drive for improving focus accuracy of an optical pickup head. Firstly, during each one revolution of the optical disk, RFinitial, RFfirst and RFsecond are calculated respectively when the optical disk drive are driven by FOOinitial?, FOOfirst and FOOsecond respectively. Then, an optimal FOO signal is acquired according to the comparison of RFinitial, RFfirst and RFsecond.

Abstract: The invention discloses a signal clamping device capable of clamping a signal with a clamp level that is set according to a frequency characteristic of the signal and a method thereof and a related optical storage system. The signal clamping device includes an equalizing unit, a determining unit, and a clamping unit. The equalizing unit is utilized for equalizing the signal and generating an equalized signal. The determining unit is utilized for generating an indication signal according to the equalized signal. The clamping unit is utilized for determining a clamp level according to the indication signal and clamping the signal with the clamp level.

Abstract: A method for automatically calibrating an output power of an optical pick-up head is provided. First, an optical disc is provided, wherein a relationship between the output power for writing the optical disc and a specific parameter corresponding thereto is defined as a first function. Next, the optical pick-up head is controlled to perform a writing operation on the optical disc according to an instruction value, and obtain the specific parameter corresponding to the instruction value. Next, the output power corresponding to the instruction value is obtained according to the first function and the specific parameter. Next, the instruction value is adjusted according to the instruction value and the output power, and the output power of the optical pick-up head is calibrated according to the adjusted instruction value.

Abstract: A land/groove switch position detecting method includes measuring information about a land/groove switch generation timing of a disc, using a first signal having a frequency that varies in proportion to a rotation speed of the disk in a normal playback mode, and a second signal having a predetermined frequency higher than the frequency of the first signal, and calculating a predicted land/groove switch generation position in the seek mode, using the information about the land/groove switch generation timing.

Abstract: To increase the speed of operations and improve vibration properties by rotating holders to wind coils in objective lens driving means of an optical pickup. In an optical pickup wherein a tracking coil and two focusing coils are wound on the same surface of a coil holder, the coil holder includes a tracking coil holder and two focusing coil holders, and each of the tracking coil holder and two focusing coil holders has a hole passing through the center of each coil.

Abstract: An optical disk device in which the laser beam emitted from a laser light source and deflected by a movable mirror is focused on an optical recording medium by an optical head section. Tracking control is carried out by a drive control section based on the laser beam reflected from the optical recording medium. A micro electrical mechanical system incorporating the movable mirror is housed in a package accommodating the laser light source. The movable mirror is driven by electrostatic force at a frequency of 0.5 KHz or higher.

Abstract: An information medium evaluating method includes, in the following order: a recording process that records data onto a recordable information medium to be evaluated; a rubbing process that rubs a processing member against a data recording surface of the information medium; a reading process that reads the data from the information medium; and an evaluating process that evaluates the information medium based on a result of the reading process and evaluation standard data. During the rubbing process, the processing member is rubbed onto only part of a region in a circumferential direction of the information medium.

Abstract: An on-screen calibration system for disc drives and the operating method thereof. The calibration system includes an autocollimator detecting the inclined angle of the stage of a disc drive. A control module is connected to the on-screen display module and a bar code scanner to receive the bar code of the pick-up module and compute a predetermined position data. A monitor displays a moving point according to the inclined angle and a target point according to the predetermined position data through an on-screen display module. The tilt-adjusting mechanism supporting the pick-up module is adjusted to shift the moving point overlapping the target point.

Abstract: The hinge (13) should preferably be formed to have a higher resistance than ever against the pivoting of the mirror body (12) to effectively prevent the hinge (13) from being damaged. By adopting a suitable one of a variety of production steps as necessary, the hinge (13) can be formed more finely and with a higher precision and thus the micro mirror unit can be produced more easily in a shorter time. To this end, the hinge (13) is formed from a different material, such as SiNx, from the mirror substrate material from which the frame (11) and mirror body (12) are formed.

Abstract: A lens support mechanism including a semiconductor laser 10 for emitting a laser beam, an optical head enclosure 3 to which the semiconductor Laser 10 is fixed and located, a collimator lens 21 disposed coaxially with the laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 10, a resin cylinder 22 formed in a cylindrical shape so as to fix and locate the collimator lens 21 to the inner surface thereof and a cylindrical member 23 fitted to the resin cylinder 22 on a side of the collimator lens 21 opposite to the semiconductor laser 10 and formed so as to be fixed to the optical head enclosure 3. The cylindrical member 23 has almost the same linear expansion coefficient as that of the optical head enclosure 3.

Abstract: An optical pick-up allows a lens to be supported at high dimensional accuracy for a high-density recording medium, and suppresses resonance for a high-speed access. The optical pick-up includes a supporting shaft, and a lens holder which fits on a supporting shaft rotatably, wherein the supporting shaft is formed of ceramics containing zirconia, and wherein the lens holder is formed of a liquid crystal resin composition. The optical-pickup includes a lens holder having a shaft hole which fits on a rotating shaft and a plurality of object lens holes, wherein the lens holder is a molded product of a resin composition of a liquid crystal resin or a polyphenylene ether resin mixed with a fibrous filler. The molded product has flexural elastic modulus of 10 GPa or more. The lens holder includes a bearing part formed vertically to a lens receiving surface with an excellent inner diameter roundness and excellent mechanical strength.

Abstract: High-capacity pick-up mechanisms operable for selectively reading data from and/or writing data to one or more surfaces of one or more optical storage media are disclosed. These mechanisms comprise a first pivotable structure, a second pivotable structure, a first reflective element, a second reflective element, a light source, and a light receiving device. The light source and the light receiving device are remotely located from the reflective elements via the pivotable structures, and only the reflective elements and a portion of the pivotable structure are positioned adjacent the surface of an optical storage medium. High-capacity optical read/write devices and systems comprising these high-capacity pick-up mechanisms are also disclosed.

Abstract: High-speed pick-up mechanisms operable for reading data from and/or writing data to an optical storage medium are disclosed. These mechanisms comprise a pivotable structure, a reflective element, a light source, a light receiving device, and an actuation device. The light source and the light receiving device are remotely located from the reflective element via the pivotable structure, and only the reflective element and a portion of the pivotable structure are positioned adjacent the surface of an optical storage medium. High-speed optical read/write devices and systems comprising these high-speed pick-up mechanisms are also disclosed. Additionally, high-speed methods for reading data from and/or writing data to an optical storage medium are disclosed.

Abstract: An optical pickup device of a micro optical disc drive comprises: a tracking actuator hinge-coupled to a deck rotatably in a tracking direction; a tracking arm coupled to the tracking actuator; a focusing arm connected to the tracking arm rotatably in a focusing direction; a connection member for connecting the tracking arm and the focusing arm so as to rotate the focusing arm; and a focusing actuator having a coil and a magnet at oppositely corresponding positions of the tracking arm and the focusing arm, for driving the focusing arm in a focusing direction.

Abstract: It is an optical information recording and reading apparatus for recording and/or reading information at a high density by using a near-field light-generating device as a near-field optical head. The end surface of the core of a flexible optical waveguide is formed in an intermediate position in the optical waveguide and in a portion fixed to the near-field optical head. Light for recording and reading information is spread within the clad. The spread light flux is reflected toward the near-field optical head by a reflective surface formed on the side of one end of the optical waveguide. The reflected light flux is collected by light-collecting structures and then is made to enter an optical minute aperture formed in the near-field optical head. Near-field light is created near the minute aperture. Light scattered by the surface of the recording medium is received. Thus, information on the recording medium can be recorded and read.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optical tracking in an edge-guided tape recorder is provided. In one embodiment, an optical tape guiding system for use in an optical tape drive which may write to optical tape is provided. The optical tape has a first edge and is disposed to be transported through the optical tape drive, and the optical tape exhibits transverse motion during transport through the optical tape drive. The system includes a curved edge guide disposed to maintain contact with the first edge of the optical tape during transport through the optical tape drive. The system may further include a mirror galvanometer disposed to direct a record beam of the optical tape system to the optical tape.

Abstract: A scan systems include at least one radiation source for directing at least one beam toward a spinning scan device. The scan device reflects these beams as rotating scan beams to track rotating scan lenses without translation between the scan beams and the scan lenses. The rotating scan lenses focus the scan beams into radiation spots and project them onto a scanned surface as moving scan spots. Relative movement between the scanned surface and the scan lenses produces an inner drum area scan. According to another version the system includes at least one radiation source for directing at least one beam toward a spinning scan device. The scan device reflects these beams as rotating scan beams to track rotating reflectors. The reflectors direct the beams to rotating tracking lenses without translation between the beams and the lenses. The lenses focus the scan beams into spots and project these onto a scanned surface as moving spots.

Abstract: An optical disc drive is provided with a light source unit that emits a collimated light beam, and a carriage mounting an objective lens for converging the collimated light beam on a recording surface of an optical disc. The carriage is movable in a direction traversing data tracks of the optical disc. The optical disc drive is further provided with a lens actuator mounted on the carriage. The lens actuator has a movable unit capable of moving the objective lens in first and second directions, independently. The first direction is a direction of an optical axis of the objective lens, and the second direction is a direction on a plane parallel to the data recording surface of the optical disc. A magnetic head is mounted on the movable unit of the lens actuator. The magnetic head is capable of applying a magnetic field onto the data recording surface of the optical disc when data is to be recorded on the optical disc.

Abstract: An optical data storage system that includes an optical source and an optical storage medium. The system includes a plurality of armatures positioned adjacent to the optical storage medium. Mounted on each armature are elements that perform functions such as beam-splitting, beam-shaping, relaying and fine tuning to collectively form an armature-mounted optical coupling system. An optical switch couples the optical source to each of the armature-mounted optical coupling systems. This configuration of an optical data storage system ensures that one optical source can be utilized for a plurality of optical detection systems.

Abstract: A head unit of a photo detector for irradiating a target area with detection light having a pencil of rays substantially shaped like a belt in transverse section and receiving light reflected in the target area. The head unit includes a belt-like-light generation lens having different light gathering functions relative to two directions orthogonal to each other in the transverse section of the pencil of rays for generating detection light substantially shaped like a belt, a light emission section for emitting the detection light from a first interface of the belt-like-light generation lens through a second interface of the belt-like-light generation lens to the target area, and a light reception section for receiving reflected light incident on the light reception section through the first interface of the belt-like-light generation lens from the second interface.

Abstract: A multi-track optical disk reader is provided having an optical pickup including multiple reading beams arranged in a pattern, such that each beam is directed towards a track to be read. The optical pickup is at least partly mounted on a swing-arm mechanism that orients the reading beam pattern with respect to the tracks being read. Methods and apparatus are provided for maintaining a desired position of the reading beams with respect to the tracks on an optical disk.

Abstract: An optical pick-up device includes a driven portion including an optical system having an objective lens, driving member including a focus coil for driving the driven portion in a direction of an optical axis, a tracking coil for driving in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis and a magnet, wherein the tracking coil is provided on a point symmetrically with respect to a central shaft and the magnet is provided in such a position that a magnetic flux is linked to one of two coil sides for generating driving force in a tracking direction.

Abstract: One surface of an objective lens is provided with a zonal part which acts such that the quantity of light having a wavelength of &lgr;1 is apparently canceled in the outer peripheral portion of the luminous flux due to an interference effect, whereas the quantity of light having a wavelength of &lgr;2 in the outer peripheral part is kept as it is. The zonal part has such a step that light supposed to pass a position corresponding to the zonal part if the zonal part does not exist and light passing a position at which the zonal part is formed if the zonal part exists generate therebetween a phase difference satisfying a predetermined conditional expression. The numerical aperture at a boundary position of the step has a value between two numerical apertures for the respective wavelengths &lgr;1 and &lgr;2.

Abstract: A galvano mirror system includes (1) a galvano mirror, (2) a mirror holder having a front portion to which the galvano mirror is mounted and a rear portion opposing to the front portion, (3) a stator which rotatably supports the mirror holder, (4) first and second reflecting surfaces provided to the rear portion of the mirror holder, and (5) first and second photo sensors provided to the stator. Each photo sensor includes a light-emitting device and a light-receiving device. A controller of the galvano mirror system detects the rotational position of the mirror holder according to on a difference in outputs of the light-receiving devices of the first and second photo sensors.

Abstract: An optical pickup device has a first optical system including a double lens type lens unit having a forward lens arranged facing an optical disc and a backward lens having an optical axis coincident with the forward lens. The optical pickup device also has a second optical system including an objective lens and first and second gap detection photodetectors for detecting the separation between the signal readout surface of the optical disc and the forward lens of the double lens type lens unit. The optical pickup device also includes a bobbin provided with the double lens type lens unit of the first optical system and with the objective lens of the second optical system and an electromagnetic driving unit for driving the bobbin in a first direction parallel to the optical axis of the objective lens and that of the forward lens of the double lens type lens unit and in a second direction normal to the optical axes.

Abstract: An optical pickup for an optical storage device includes a stem, a substrate mounted on the stem, and a laser diode mounted on the substrate. The substrate is integrally formed with an optical signal detector and an error signal detector for focusing error detection and tracking error detection. A cap is mounted on the stem so as to accommodate the substrate and the laser diode. A beam splitter unit including a polarization beam splitter and a beam splitting element is mounted on the cap. A hologram for diffracting a reflected beam toward the error signal detector is interposed between the cap and the beam splitter unit. The substrate is biased at a given potential, and has an insulating film opposed to the stem.

Abstract: A galvano mirror system includes (1) a galvano mirror, (2) a mirror holder having a front portion to which the galvano mirror is mounted and a rear portion opposing to the front portion, (3) a stator which rotatably supports the mirror holder, (4) first and second reflecting surfaces provided to the rear portion of the mirror holder, and (5) first and second photo sensors provided to the stator. Each photo sensor includes a light-emitting device and a light-receiving device. A controller of the galvano mirror system detects the rotational position of the mirror holder according to on a difference in outputs of the light-receiving devices of the first and second photo sensors.

Abstract: An off-axis optical pickup mechanism for dual-sided optical storage discs comprises an optical pickup unit (OPU) connected to an optical pipe. A baffle is provided which surrounds the OPU and a cover is provided which is placed on top of the baffle. To be able to controllably rotate the optical pipe, a first gear is attached to the pipe. The first gear is meshed with the second gear which is connected to the motor. The optical pipe comprises a top hollow tube having a top channel and a bottom tube having a bottom channel, and a main body having a main channel. Each channel terminates to a lens element. The optical pickup mechanism should be positioned in an optical storage drive such that an optical storage disc can be placed in between the two lens element of the optical pipe.

Abstract: In order to provide an optical pick-up capable of carrying out write and read operations of information signals with respect to plural kinds of optical discs in which thicknesses of transparent bases are different from each other and simple in configuration, a first object lens 7a for converging light beams from a first light source onto an optical disc 101 of the first kind and a second object lens 7b for converging light beams from a second light source 6 onto an optical disc 102 of the second kind are provided on the same lens bobbin 8. The lens bobbin 8 is movably supported by the columnar support shaft and is caused to undergo movement operation by magnetic circuit.