Abstract: A phase locked loop (PLL) for generating an output signal according to an input signal is disclosed. The PLL of the present invention includes a detector for generating a detection signal according to the logical difference between the input signal and a feedback signal, a signal mixer electrically connected to the detector for generating a control signal according to the detection signal and a mixing reference signal, a filtering device electrically connected to the signal mixer for generating an adjust signal according to the control signal, a controllable oscillator electrically connected to the filtering device for generating the output signal according to the adjust signal, and a frequency divider electrically connected to the controllable oscillator for generating the feedback signal and the mixing reference signal according to the output signal. The frequency of the output signal is at least twice the frequency of the input signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to a focus control apparatus having a controller which generates a control signal and performs focus operation when the peak timing of a focus sum signal based on reflected light and the zero-crossing timing of a focus error signal are detected to substantially coincide with each other in supplying a control signal to a lens actuator driver for supplying a driving signal to a lens actuator for driving a lens. The invention also relates to an optical disk apparatus using the focus control apparatus. By detecting coincidence of the two timings, two reflected waves are discriminated, and stable focus operation is achieved.

Abstract: A method of adjusting channel properties of an optical storage system is disclosed to include the steps: Step 1) give a modify step, a trial step and a threshold, Step 2) give an initial point, Step 3) add an initial focus point to the trial step and measure the sum so as to obtain a first jitter value, Step 4) deduct the trial step from the initial focus point and measure the difference so as to obtain a second jitter value, Step 5) deduct the second jitter value from the first jitter value and judge if the difference is greater than the threshold or not, Step 6) deduct the modify step from the initial focus point and then return to step 3) when the difference obtained from step 5) is greater than the threshold, Step 7) deduct the first jitter value from the second jitter value and judge if the difference is greater than the threshold or not in case the difference obtained from step 5) is smaller than the threshold, Step 8) add the initial focus point to the modify step and then return to step 3) when the di

Abstract: An optical device includes a substrate, an optical element, a translucent component, a plurality of first terminals and a sealant. The sealant is located lower than the top surface of the translucent component. The top surface of the translucent component is exposed out of the sealant, while the side surface of the translucent component is covered with the sealant.

Abstract: In an optical disk apparatus, when a focus deviation occurs, amplitude driving of a pickup is performed for focus pull-in immediately without a waiting time. The amplitude driving is performed with a first amplitude a given number of times, and when detection of a focusing point fails, amplitude driving with a second amplitude larger than the first amplitude is performed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to display a status of an optical recording and/or reproducing apparatus. The method includes, determining a type of an optical disc loaded into a tray; transmitting a predetermined signal based on the determination result to a laser emitting diode module comprising at least two laser emitting diodes, which emit different color beams so that the laser emitting diode module emits a color beam based on the determined type of the optical disc.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical disk apparatus capable of stably performing a layer jump on an optical disk having plural recording layers and non-uniform interlayer distances. In an optical disk with at least three recording layers and non-uniform interlayer distances between respective recording layers, if a layer jump is carried out from a first recording layer to a second recording layer, a distance from the first recording layer to the second recording layer is obtained and driving voltages set according to the distance are applied to an actuator for the layer jump to carry out the layer jump. At this time, interlayer distances for combinations of the respective recording layers and applied driving voltages thereto are stored in a memory in advance and when necessary, corresponding driving voltages are read out from the memory and are set for the layer jump.

Abstract: A focus search driving voltage corresponding to a signal surface of an optical disc is obtained on the basis of detection information from a photodetector when an objective lens is focused on the signal surface of the optical disc in the middle of raising or lowering the objective lens placed on standby at a lens midpoint between a temporarily set lens bottom point and a temporarily set lens top point according to a temporarily set lens bottom point voltage and a temporarily set lens top point voltage.

Abstract: An unknown optical disc is identified as a CD when an all sum signal value AS-max by a photodetector on a signal surface of the unknown optical disc is larger than an all sum signal value AS-cdref for CD signal surface reference for identifying the CD and the hybrid SACD as a CD based on each CD signal surface thereof, and a focus search driving voltage Y corresponding to the signal surface of the unknown optical disc is lager than a voltage value acquired by a predetermined relational expression between a focus search driving voltage Q corresponding to a DVD signal surface of a reference DVD and a focus search driving voltage R corresponding to a CD signal surface of a reference CD.

Abstract: An optical disc player executes a focus pull-in operation while avoiding an inconvenience that an objective lens comes into contact with an optical disc, or the like. The objective lens is forcedly moved gradually from a position that is away from the surface of the optical disc and outside a capture range of a focus servo toward the surface of the optical disc. When the objective lens reaches the capture range of the focusing servo loop by the moving operation and a distance between the objective lens and the disc surface is at the minimum distance or is changing in a widening direction, the moving operation of the objective lens is stopped.

Abstract: A focus search control unit for outputting an order to move an objective lens to the vicinity of a targeted position is provided with a trajectory generating unit for generating a position trajectory to move the objective lens such that the objective lens approaches the targeted position gradually. The position trajectory output from the trajectory generating unit is a position trajectory with which resonance frequency components that the lens moving unit has are removed or attenuated by making smooth the variation of acceleration of the objective lens moved by the lens moving unit. The position trajectory is defined by, for example, a function of third order or higher with respect to time.

Abstract: A bottom hold circuit generates a bottom hold signal (BH signal) from an RFDC signal from an RF amplifier, and sends it to a comparator. The comparator compares a reference level and the BH signal, and generates an Rfdet signal having H level if the BH signal was found to be lower than the reference level. The Rfdet signal is a signal having H level when a laser spot falls in a data-recorded area on an optical disk, and having L level when in a non-recorded area. When it was detected that Rfdet signal had H level throughout a single turn of the disk, a servo-processing microcomputer controls an optical pickup so as to apply tracking servo. This makes it possible to precisely detect a boundary position between the data-recorded area and non-recorded area. If the optical disk is decentered, the boundary area corresponded to the amount of decentering can successfully be isolated from the data-recorded area.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a startup procedure of optical drive after recording or erasing on an optical disc. After disc writing, startup procedure begins, a chipset reads the recorded data on the disc directly using the track information and focus servo parameter in the memory. Thus, the invention reduces time spent in the reading procedure.

Abstract: An optical information apparatus of the present invention includes: an optical pick-up head including: a light source; a diffraction unit; a condensing unit; a beam splitter; a photodetector; and a tracking error signal generator. An optical recording medium has tracks arranged substantially at a constant pitch. An average of a pitch is tp. When a main beam is placed on the track, a first sub-beam and a second sub-beam are placed between the tracks.

Abstract: An optical pickup, optical recording and/or reproducing apparatus including the same, and a method of realizing a tracking servo that is compatible between different types of optical data storage media. The optical recording and/or reproducing apparatus splits light from a light source into a main beam and four or more sub beams symmetrical with respect to the main beam, which are then emitted on an optical data storage medium, wherein the four or more sub beams include two first sub beams located close to the main beam and two second sub beams located away from the main beam, and detects a tracking error signal by a differential push-pull (DPP) method using detection signals of the main beam and the pair of first sub beams and of the main beam and the pair of second sub beams for ±R/RW and RAM type optical data storage media, respectively.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for identifying the type of an optical recording medium are provided. The method includes detecting a surface reflected signal SS and a writable-surface reflected signal SR of an optical recording medium while performing a focus search using a first optical system, counting a time difference DTS between a high peak and a low peak of the surface reflected signal SS, counting a time difference DTR between the high peak of the surface reflected signal and a high peak of the writable-surface reflected signal SR, obtaining DT by substituting DTR and DTS into the following equation: DT = ( DT R ) a ( DT S ) b ? ? ( a - b ? 1 2 ) and comparing DT with a reference time T, and driving the first optical system if DT is greater than T and driving a second optical system if DT is not greater than T.

Abstract: A method of storing calibrated optical parameters is presented. In some embodiments, calibrated optical parameters are stored in place of stored parameters. In some embodiments, averages between the calibrated operating parameters and stored optical parameters are stored. In other embodiments, the stored optical parameters are allowed to vary only by a maximum amount. In some embodiments, if the calibrated parameters vary by more than threshold values, then the calibrated parameters are not stored.

Abstract: An objective lens of an optical pick-up is ascended from the disc Far position towards the disc Near position at a constant velocity, and a peak bottom detector detects levels between the peak to the bottom (peak-to-bottom levels) of focus error signals obtained during the focus movement. A servo processing microcomputer counts the number of focus error signals having a peak-to-bottom level not smaller than the predetermined minimum level, out of all peak-to-bottom levels obtained during the focus movement across the recording layer of a disc, and defines the count value as the number of the recording layers of the disc. This allows correct determination of the number of recording layers of recording medium while not being affected by variation in property of the instruments, variation in reflectivity of recording medium, variation in the ambient temperature and fake pulse corresponded to waviness in focus error signal.

Abstract: A focal detecting means (35) of a controller (25) controls an actuator driver (38) to actuate an actuator (12) to vibrate an objective lens (3) in a direction along an optical axis. An output of a focus error signal from a signal generator (27) is checked by a signal detecting means (46) and presence of a workpiece is determined when the signal is detected. When the presence of the workpiece is detected, the focal detecting means (35) moves the objective lens (3) along the optical axis by the actuator (12) and a focus position is recognized with reference to a position signal from a position detecting means (49) together with the focus error signal, where the objective lens (3) is moved to the focus position for focusing.

Abstract: A real-time wobble detector and an adaptive layer distance balancing calculator are added in a layer jump control device of a high-speed optical drive to solve failure and instability caused by the wobble effect of the optical drive during layer jump. A layer jump control method of the optical drive is also provided.

Abstract: There are provided a balance adjustment circuit (6) for adjusting levels of first and second detection signals from a tracking detector, a differential circuit (8) for generating a difference signal between the adjusted first and second detection signals, an AD conversion circuit (10) for digitizing the difference signal, a wobble signal detection circuit (14) for detecting a wobble signal from the digitized difference signal, an adder circuit (30) for generating a sum signal of the adjusted first and second detection signals, a binarization circuit (32) for converting the sum signal into a binarized signal, a latch circuit (33) for latching the binarized signal and converting the same into a timing signal, a control signal generation circuit (34) for generating a control signal based on the timing signal and the digitized difference signal, a residual component removal circuit (18) for removing a residual signal component included in the digitized difference signal based on the control signal and outputting

Abstract: A optical scanning device (1) for scanning an information layer (2) with a radiation beam (25) in a writing mode and a reading mode comprises a radiation source (7) for emitting the beam and an objective lens (10) for converging the beam so as to form a scanning spot (19) in the information layer. The device also includes a scanning spot power switch (20) for switching the size of the cross-section of the beam between a first size at the writing mode and a second, larger size at the reading mode so as to switch the rim intensity of the beam between a first intensity level (Irim,writing) at the writing mode and a second, higher intensity level (Irim,reading) at the reading mode, thereby switching the light power of the scanning spot between a first power level (Pwriting) at the writing mode and a second, lower power level (Preading) at the reading mode.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical pickup astigmatism adjusting method capable of easily correcting an astigmatism even if the spot shape of a light beam converged on an optical disc is not a true circle. An optical pickup astigmatism adjusting system of the present invention finds an inter-focal distance L0 between a focal position where a light beam is converged in RAD direction and another focal position where a light beam is converged in TAN direction, and a further inter-focal distance L45 between a focal position where a light beam is converged in a direction inclined 45 degrees from RAD direction and another focal position where a light beam is converged in a direction inclined 45 degrees from TAN direction, thereby measuring an astigmatism in accordance with the inter-focal distances L0 and L45. Then, an installation angle of a reflection mirror is adjusted in accordance with the inter-focal distances L0 and L45, thus correcting the astigmatism.

Abstract: A method of detecting a servo error, an apparatus therefor, a disk which maintains quantity of a servo error signal, a method of controlling a servo of an apparatus for recording data on and reproducing data from a disk, a method of detecting the tracking error, and a method of detecting tilt error of the apparatus.

Abstract: For reproducing and/or recording information from/onto an optical disc, a pickup is used to detect a target track on the disc through an optical beam. In carriage servo control, movement of the pickup is servo-controlled in the radial direction of the optical disc. In this control, a tracking error signal is produced by a preamplifier. A pulse signal is produced, in which the period of the pulse signal is set to a constant amount corresponding to the accuracy of movement of the pickup. Based on the pulse signal and the tracking error signal, a carriage control signal to move the pickup is produced. The carriage control signal is then supplied to a carriage motor by a driver, so that the pickup is moved.

Abstract: In a layer jump, a control signal based on a focus error signal is masked in a period based on a moving speed of an objective lens so as not to be influenced by an unnecessary light component. Thereafter, an observation of the control signal based on the focus error signal is restarted, and a brake signal is sent to the objective lens, and a focus servo is switched to the ON status. Thus, accuracy of the layer jump is improved when the unnecessary light component exists in an interlayer portion of the focus error signal.

Abstract: An objective lens of an optical pickup is made to move from far position to near position with respect to DVD with constant speed, and a timer counts time taken for the movement of a focus of a laser beam between recording layers of the DVD on the basis of a focus error signal obtained from this movement. In the case of the DVD of the single-layer, since the recording layer is one-layer, and there is no interlayer, count value becomes small value. While, in the case of DVD of the multi-layer, the recording layer consists of a plurality of layers, thus one or plural-interlayer exists, therefore, count value becomes large value. Accordingly, if small count value is obtained, its DVD is discriminated as DVD of the single-layer. While, if large count value is obtained, its DVD is discriminated as DVD of the multi-layer.

Abstract: A circuit for generating a compensation signal (TC) to compensate a tracking error (TE) swing in a servo control system, the TC signal being pre-defined in accordance with an algorithm for generating a TE signal, the circuit comprising a set of peak detection devices corresponding to a set of photo-detector elements formed in a photo-detector, each of the peak detection devices detecting an amplitude of an optical detection signal derived from a corresponding photo-detector element, a set of amplifiers of a same gain corresponding to the set of peak detection devices, the gain being selectable between an inverting and a non-inverting terminals, a set of gain selection signals corresponding to the set of amplifiers to select one of the inverting and non-inverting terminals in accordance with the pre-defined TC signal, and an adder for adding the amplitudes that are gain selected.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus includes an optical detector which has light receiving areas divided nearly concentrically with an optical beam and outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of the reflected light from an optical disk. A surface vicinity detecting section adds up signals from all the light-receiving areas of the optical detector and outputs a detection signal. The detection signal continuously varies so as to have one maximum level while a beam spot of the optical beam moves from the surface of the information medium to the information plane. An information plane detecting section judges that the focus or the beam spot of the optical beam comes closer to the information plane of the optical disk by detecting the gradient of the detection signal. An approach of a condensing lens and the optical disk is judged based on the judgment results, and thus a collision of the condensing lens and the optical disk can be prevented.

Abstract: An optical device and an information recording/reproducing apparatus using the optical device are disclosed. Incident light is output to a path selected from a plurality of paths so that an optical path can be secured with high precision for a separated (two-part) optical system. The optical device and the information recording/reproducing apparatus include a first reflective unit for reflecting the incident light in a fixed direction, and a second reflective unit for reflecting the light received from the first reflective unit to a second optical path. The two reflective units are movable in a body between two positions, one position being on a first optical path, and the other position being in an evacuation position where the first optical path is not intercepted.

Abstract: A disk drive determines whether or not a currently loaded disk is a gravity center deviated disk based on a tracking error signal detected at different disk rotation speeds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical media system (40) for suppressing externally induced rattle of an optical media pickup. The system (40) comprises: an optical pickup (41) for reading from and/or writing to an optical storage medium (43), the optical pickup (41) having one or more sources of light (61), an objective lens (2), a focus and/or tracking actuator (1) for moving the lens (2) to focus and/or track the light on the optical medium (43) and mechanical limits to limit the focus and/or tracking movement of the lens (2); and an actuator controller (58) for controlling the actuator (1) and hence the focus and/or tracking position of the lens (2), characterised in that the actuator controller (58) actively controls the lens position when the optical pickup (41) is not being used with the optical medium (43).

Abstract: An error signal detection apparatus for an optical recording/reproducing system including a light source emitting a light beam and an objective lens focusing the light beam to form a light spot on a recording medium, the apparatus including: a photodetecting unit dividing at least a part of the light beam passed through the objective lens after being reflected/diffracted from an information stream of the recording medium into light beam portions, and detecting the light beam portions; and a signal processor detecting phase differences between detection signals from the light beam portions to detect a tangential error signal, a defocus error signal, and/or a radial tilt error signal.

Abstract: An apparatus which stabilizes an operation of a disc driver in a mode conversion setting section includes a pickup which reads information from a disc that is inserted into the disc driver, a filter which performs a low-pass filtering of a servo error signal that is generated during an operation of the pickup, a selector which selects one of the servo error signal and the low-pass filtered servo error signal from the filter and outputs the selected servo error signal to drive the pickup using the selected servo error signal, and a control signal generator which generates a signal to control the selector to select the low-pass filtered servo error signal in a mode conversion setting section of the disc driver. Accordingly, a defocus and a detrack can be prevented in the mode conversion setting section of the disc driver.

Abstract: A recording method for an optical medium having a disk-like substrate with a spiral or concentric-shaped groove structure along a track formed on the substrate. The groove structure is wobbled in a radial direction of the medium and the track is divided into a plurality of units in the track direction by at least one radial boundary line formed by a dropout portion. Identification information is disposed in the track at a head of each recording unit at the dropout portion and the medium is divided into a plurality of zones in a radial direction with a length of a circular arc being substantially the same between the zones in a circumferential direction. At least two adjacent units in the radial direction of the medium comprise one zone. The method includes providing the optical medium, and recording information on the optical medium by irradiating an optical spot thereon.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of a motor system that addresses the design challenges for the small form factor optical disk system. The control system can be operable to read a physical sector address (PSA) from an optical medium, calculate a table index based on the PSA, enter a lookup table module to acquire reference data, and maintain a constant data rate transfer from the optical medium for a range of PSAs.

Abstract: Method and device for controlling an optical recording/reproducing device, for detecting a wobble signal in advance during free running when only a focus servo is turned on, carrying out wobble PLL, detecting the present rotating speed of the optical disk from the wobble signal, and controlling the spindle to reach to a target speed quickly, thereby stabilizing the servo in advance before regular data recording/reproduction, and enhancing performance of the optical recording/reproduction device.

Abstract: An optical disk device for driving an optical disk having an emboss section and a data section comprises an optical pickup for replaying address information by irradiating a laser beam onto the emboss section of an optical disk and writing data by irradiating the laser beam onto the data section of the optical disk, and a control unit for controlling the focus position when address information is replayed at the emboss section and the focus position when data are written onto the data section to a common focus position. By using the common focus position as the focus position when the emboss section is replayed and as the focus position when the data are written to the data section, it is possible to eliminate any need for rapidly switching the focus position at the boundary between the emboss section and the data section.

Abstract: A pickup is moved in a direction opposite to a pickup moving direction in which the pickup is to be moved. At a timing at which a period of time corresponding to one period of oscillation generated on an objective lens of the pickup has passed after moving the pickup in the direction opposite to the pickup moving direction, the pickup is moved in the pickup moving direction.

Abstract: A disc discrimination method and apparatus include calculating a first time difference between a time when a first focusing signal is detected from a first recording area of a first disc and a time when a first reflection signal is detected from a first surface area of the first disc, and calculating a second time difference between a time when a second focusing signal is detected from a second recording area of a second disc and a time when a second reflection signal is detected from a second surface area of the second disc. An average value of the first and the second time differences is calculated and the average value obtained as a reference time is determined and a disc type of the first disc or the second disc loaded into the optical disc system is identified using the average value.

Abstract: A motor controlling device includes an acceleration detector for detecting an acceleration of a motor; a motor driver for supplying a driving current to the motor; a heat quantity calculator for calculating a heat quantity generated in the motor at least based on an output from the acceleration detector; and a motor controller for controlling the motor driver based on the heat quantity.

Abstract: The method of controlling data writing velocity of an optical disk player is capable of correctly writing data on a nonstandard optical disk as well as a standard optical disk. The method comprises the steps of: analyzing a track pitch of an optical disk on the basis of a moving distance of an optical pick-up in a prescribed time and the address thereof when a data writing test is executed in an innermost area of the optical disk; judging if the optical disk is a standard optical disk having a standard track pitch or not; calculating an address of changing data writing velocity on the basis of the analyzed track pitch if the optical disk is a nonstandard optical disk; and changing the data writing velocity when the address to which the optical pick-up irradiates the laser beam reaches the calculated address.

Abstract: In an initial operation of an optical disc apparatus for reading out information data recorded in the innermost data recording area on the optical disc, a main processor judges whether periods between adjoining two pits are normal or not from signals outputted from an optical pickup. When the periods of the pits are normal, a light beam emitted from the optical pickup is on the present data recording track, and the information data is read out from the optical disc. Alternatively, when the periods of the pits are abnormal, the optical pickup is moved inwardly with sensing the periods of the pits and judges whether the periods are normal or not. When the periods of the pits become normal, the light beam is precisely tracked on the present data recording track, and reproduces the information data from the optical disc.

Abstract: A method of controlling a recording speed of an optical disc recording system includes detecting error information with respect to a level of a servo control signal of the optical disc recording system, and adjusting the recording speed of the optical disc recording system with reference to the error information.

Abstract: A method for checking the existence of an optical disk using a focusing signal is provided. The method in accordance with the present invention prevents misjudgement of the existence of an optical disk which is caused by noise contained in a focus error signal or by the low reflection ratio of a disk.

Abstract: A layer jump control apparatus of an optical drive. The layer jump control apparatus has a pick up head, a preamplifier, a controller producing a focusing control signal FC, a low pass filter for receiving FC and producing a layer distance balancing signal LC, and a driving device to send a driving force to the pick up head. When the optical drive does not perform the layer jump process, the driving device receives FC. When the optical drive performs the layer jump process, the driving device receives a kicking signal and LB to determine the driving force in the kicking process; the driving device receives a braking signal and LB to determine the driving force in when the optical drive performs the braking process; and the driving device receives LB to determine the driving force in the holding process and the waiting process.

Abstract: An adjustment method for optical pick-up including a light source for emitting light beams, an object lens for irradiating light beams onto an optical disc for adjustment and a drive portion for driving the object lens in a direction in parallel to the optical axis of the object lens and in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis thereof, wherein in the state where the light source is movably held with respect to the object lens and the drive portion is movably held with respect to the light source, light beams are irradiated onto an optical disc for adjustment concentrically having recording tracks from the optical pick-up to adjust relative position of the object lens with respect to the light source and inclination of the optical axis of the object lens, and an optical disc for adjustment used in such an adjustment method.

Abstract: A controller for a writable optical media is presented. The controller includes a write control sequencer that monitors the transmission of data from a host device to the writable optical media without continuous supervision from a microcomputer. The write control sequencer monitors and controls data flow in response to descriptors which are loaded into the controller prior to the transfer by a microprocessor.

Abstract: A differential phase detection device receives first through fourth detection signals from a photodetector and detects a differential phase signal therefrom, the differential phase detection device includes a slicer slicing and digitizing each of the detection signals with respect to a reference level. A synthesizer synthesizes the digitized detection signals and generates therefrom synthesis signals. A phase difference detector compares phases of the synthesis signals and outputs a first phase difference signal and a second phase difference signal. A matrix circuit processes the first and second phase difference signals to output the differential phase signal.

Abstract: A sample integrity test is disclosed. The sample integrity test receives an error signal and a defect signal. If the defect signal indicates the presence of a defect, a low-pass filtered error signal is substituted for the error signal. The low-pass filtered error signal is the error signal filtered with a low-pass filter. The error signal can be derived from optical signals from an optical pick-up unit. A control signal generated from the output signal from the sample integrity test controls the position of the optical pick-up unit. The defect signal can also be derived from the optical signals.