Patent Grant
7433255
The invention relates to a system for positioning an information carrier in a reading apparatus.
The invention also relates to said information carrier.
The invention has applications in the field of optical data storage.
The use of optical storage solutions is nowadays widespread for content distribution, for example in storage systems based on the DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) standards. Optical storage has a big advantage over hard-disk and solid-state storage in that the information carriers are easy and cheap to replicate.
However, due to the large amount of moving elements in the drives, known applications using optical storage solutions are not robust to shocks when performing read/write operations, considering the required stability of said moving elements during such operations. As a consequence, optical storage solutions cannot easily and efficiently be used in applications which are subject to shocks, such as in portable devices.
New optical storage solutions has thus been developed. These solutions combine the advantages of optical storage in that a cheap and removable information carrier is used, and the advantages of solid-state storage in that the information carrier is still and that its reading requires a limited number of moving elements.
It is an object of the invention to propose a system for accurately positioning an information carrier with respect to an array of light spots in a reading and/or writing apparatus.
The system according to the invention comprises:
The array of light spots is applied to the information carrier for reading the data stored on said information carrier. Since the information carrier corresponds to a matrix of transparent or non-transparent elementary areas; the array of light spots is regular and defines a periodic grid. According to the state of transparency of the elementary areas, the light spots are transmitted or not to a detector intended to convert the received light signals into binary data.
The information carrier comprises periodic structures placed beside the data area intended to store data. When the array of light spots interferes with these periodic structures, Moiré patterns are generated and detected. In analysing the Moiré Patterns, it becomes possible to accurately measure the angular misalignment between the information carrier and the array of light spots because a small misalignment between the array of light spots and the information carrier results in a large change of the Moiré Patterns. Control signals reflecting the misalignment can thus be derived from the Moiré Patterns, and used as input signals for actuators intended to vary the relative angular position between the information carrier and the array of light spots. The light spots and the elementary areas of the information carrier may thus perfectly be aligned, resulting in a reading of the information carrier with a low error rate.
The invention also relates to an information carrier intended to be read and/or written by a periodic array of light spots, said information carrier comprising:
Each Moiré pattern generated by the periodic structures may be used to derive the absolute value of the angular misalignment, while the combination of information derived from both Moiré patterns is used for determining the sign of said angular misalignment.
Using Moiré patterns is an advantage because it leads to an accurate measure of the misalignment angle.
Moreover, the printing of such periodic structures on the information carrier is cost-effective and thus dedicated to a content distribution context.
Detailed explanations and other aspects of the invention will be given below.
The particular aspects of the invention will now be explained with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which identical parts or sub-steps are designated in the same manner:
The system comprises an optical element 102 for generating a periodic array of light spots 103 intended to be applied and to scan the information carrier 101. An input light beam 104 is applied to the input of the optical element 102. The input light beam 104 can be realized by a waveguide (not represented) for expanding an input laser beam, or by a two-dimensional array of coupled micro lasers.
According to a first embodiment depicted in
According to a second embodiment depicted in
In this second embodiment, the array of light spots 103 is generated by the array of apertures in exploiting the Talbot effect which is a diffraction phenomenon working as follows. When a number of coherent light emitters of the same wavelength, such as the input light beam 104, are applied to an object having a periodic diffractive structure, such as the array of apertures, the diffracted lights recombine into identical images of the emitters at a plane located at a predictable distance z0 from the diffracting structure. This distance z0, at which the information carrier 101 is placed, is known as the Talbot distance. The Talbot distance z0 is given by the relation z0=2.n.d2/λ, where d is the periodic spacing of the light emitters, λ is the wavelength of the input light beam, and n is the refractive index of the propagation space. More generally, re-imaging takes place at other distances z(m) spaced further from the emitters and which are a multiple of the Talbot distance z such that z(m)=2.n.m.d2/λ, where m is an integer. Such re-imaging also takes place for m=½+an integer, but here the image is shifted over half a period. The re-imaging also takes place for m=¼+an integer, and for m=¾+an integer, but the image has a doubled frequency which means that the period of the light spots is halved with respect to that of the array of apertures.
Exploiting the Talbot effect allows generating an array of light spots of high quality at a relatively large distance from the array of apertures (a few hundred μm, expressed by z(m)), without the need for optical lenses. This allows inserting for example a cover layer between the array of aperture and the information carrier for preventing the latter from contamination (e.g. dust, finger prints . . . ). Moreover, this facilitates the implementation and allows increasing the density of light spots in a cost-effective manner compared to the use of an array of micro-lenses, which light spots are applied to the information carrier.
Coming back to
The light spots are applied on the elementary areas of the information carrier 101. If a light spot is applied on a non-transparent elementary area, no output light beam passes through the information carrier. On the contrary, if a light spot is applied on a transparent elementary area, it passes through the information carrier and can be detected afterwards by a detector 106.
Each light spot is applied and scanned over a partial area of the data area 105. The scanning of the information carrier 101 is performed by displacing the array of light spots 103 along the x and y axis.
The detector 106 is notably used for detecting the binary value of the elementary data areas on which optical spots are applied. To this end, the detector 106 comprises a data detection area 107 opposite the data area 105 of the information carrier, in parallel planes. It is advantageously made of an array of CMOS or CCD pixels. Advantageously, one pixel of the detector is intended to detect a set of elementary data, each data among this set of elementary data being successively read by a single light spot of said array of light spots 103. This way of reading data on the information carrier 101 is called macro-cell scanning in the following and will be described hereinafter.
In this example, each set of data comprises four elementary data, and a single light spot is applied simultaneously to each set of data. The scanning of the information carrier 101 by the array of light spots 103 is performed for example from left to right, with an incremental lateral displacement which equals the distance S between two elementary data.
In position A, all the light spots are applied to non-transparent areas so that all pixels of the detector are in the second state.
In position B, after displacement of the light spots to the right, the light spot to the left side is applied to a transparent area so that the corresponding pixel is in the first state, while the two other light spots are applied to non-transparent areas so that the two corresponding pixels of the detector are in the second state.
In position C, after displacement of the light spots to the right, the light spot to the left side is applied to a non-transparent area so that the corresponding pixel is in the second state, while the two other light spots are applied to transparent areas so that the two corresponding pixels of the detector are in the first state.
In position D, after displacement of the light spots to the right, the central light spot is applied to a non-transparent area so that the corresponding pixel is in the second state, while the two other light spots are applied to transparent areas so that the two corresponding pixels of the detector are in the first state.
The scanning of the information carrier 101 is complete when the light spots have been applied to all data of a set of data facing a pixel of the detector. It implies a two-dimensional scanning of the information carrier. Elementary data which form a set of data opposite a pixel of the detector are read successively by a single light spot.
The scanning of the information carrier by the array of light spots is done in a plane parallel to the information carrier. A scanning device provides translational movement in the two directions x and y for scanning the whole surface of the information carrier.
According to a first solution depicted in
According to a second solution depicted in
The second solution depicted in
The position P1 depicts the scanning device 701 in a first position, while the position P2 depicts the scanning device 701 in a second position after translation along the x axis. This figure illustrates the flexibility of the leaf springs 702 and 703.
A similar configuration can be built with four piezoelectric elements, the two extra piezoelectric elements replacing the leaf springs 702 and 703. In that case, opposite pair of piezoelectric elements act together in one dimension in the same way as an antagonistic pair of muscles.
Coming back to
The first periodic structure 108 is intended to interfere with the periodic array of light spots 103 for generating a first Moiré pattern on an area 110 of the detector 106. The first Moiré pattern is only generated by the subset of light spots taken from the periodic array of light spots 103 which is opposite the first periodic structure 108. The first periodic structure 108 and the area 110 are each other's opposites.
The second periodic structure 109 is intended to interfere with the periodic array of light spots 103 for generating a second Moiré pattern on an area 111 of the detector 106. The second Moiré pattern is only generated by the subset of light spots taken from the periodic array of light spots 103 which is opposite the second periodic structure 109. The second periodic structures 109 and the area 111 are each other's opposites.
Areas 110 and 111, advantageously made of an array of CMOS or CCD pixels, are intended to measure the light variation of said first and second Moiré patterns.
The system also comprises processing means 112 for deriving from the light variation of said first and second Moiré patterns, the angle value δ which corresponds to the misalignment between the periodic array of light spots 103 and the information carrier 101. The processing means 112 are connected to the detector 106 by means of a data bus 113. The processing means 112 may correspond to code instructions executed by a signal processor for deriving:
The system also comprises actuation means AC1-AC2-AC3 for adjusting the angular position of said information carrier 101 with respect to said array of light spots 103. Actuation means AC1-AC2-AC3 may correspond to piezoelectric actuators. Actuation means AC1-AC2-AC3 are controlled by control signals 114 carried by wires and generated by said processing means 112. Said control signals are derived from said angle value δ.
In a first embodiment as depicted in
Alternatively, in a second embodiment (not depicted), the actuation means AC1-AC2-AC3 are in contact with the periphery of the optical element 102 generating the array of light spots 103. In this case, the information carrier 103 is fixed, while the array of light spots 103 may rotate under the control of said actuation means on said optical element 102.
The use of three actuators AC1-AC2-AC3 is sufficient to rotate the information carrier 101 (or the optical element 102) around the vertical axis z, so as to correct the angular misalignment δ.
The subset of light spots 103 is oriented along axis x1, whereas the first periodic structure 108 is oriented along axis x. The period of the periodic structure 108 is referred to as b1.
The angle between axis x1 and axis x2 corresponds to the angular misalignment δ between the information carrier 101 and the array of light spots 103. For the sake of clarity, it is noted that the misalignment angle δ0 has been represented much larger than it would be in reality.
The first periodic structure 108 is oriented along axis x3, so that axis x2 and axis x3 define said first and known angle α0. The absolute value of the angle between axis x1 and axis x3 is thus defined as:
α1=|α0+δ| (1)
The first Moiré pattern results from the interference between the periodic light spots 103 and the first periodic structure 108 placed on the information carrier 101. This optical phenomenon generally occurs when an input image with a periodic structure (i.e. the periodic structure 108 in the present case) is sampled with a periodic sampling grid (i.e. the periodic array of light spots in the present case) having a period which is close or equal to that of the input image, which results in aliasing. The sampled image is magnified and rotated according to an angle whose value depends on:
In the present case, the projection along axis x1 of the light variation of the first Moiré pattern is done by detection area 110. The detection area 110, the periodic structure 108 and the subset of light spots 103 are superimposed, but for the sake of clarity, the detection area 110 is represented below.
Each partial measure M that defines the projection signal 11 may derive from the sum of a part of the Moiré pattern detected by detection area 110. For example, a partial measure M may be derived from the sum of signals generated by a set of adjacent pixels PX4-PX5-PX6 of the detector, and so on for the definition of the other partial measures. Alternatively, a single pixel covering the surface of pixels PX4-PX5-PX6 may be defined for generating the partial measure M.
The accuracy with which the frequency of the light variation can be determined depends on the length L of the periodic structure 108.
In the present case where the data area 105 of the information carrier is made of adjacent elementary data areas, it can be set as a constraint that the accuracy of the angular measure does not exceed the size S of an elementary data area over the full length Lfull of the information carrier. With these conditions, it can be shown that the following relation must be verified:
b/S=L/Lfull (2)
For example, it can be decided to set b=S and L=Lfull, where S corresponds to the distance between two adjacent elementary data areas of the data area 105.
Note that if the information carrier 101 has sides of different lengths, the length L of the information carrier should be interpreted as the size of the longest side, and if the information carrier is read out in segments, the length L of the information carrier should be interpreted as the length of the segment.
It can be shown that for values of angle α1 verifying:
b/L<α1<b/2p (3)
where
where F1 is the frequency of the projection signal I1.
The measurement of the first frequency value F1 is performed by the processing means 112, for example in detecting consecutive minimums and maximums in the projection signal I1 to derive the period T1 and then F1 defined by F1=1/T1, or making an inverse Fourier Transform and taking the first-order coefficient as a measure of F1.
From (1), the knowledge of the absolute value of angle α1 is sufficient to derive the absolute value of angle δ, but not the sign of angle δ. The sign of angle δ is important because it indicates in which direction the array of light spots 103 is rotated with respect to the information carrier 101, and thus in which direction the actuators AC1-AC2-AC3 have to act to cancel the angular misalignment δ.
To determine the sign of angle δ, the second Moiré pattern generated on the detection area 111 by the second periodic structure 109 is analysed similarly to the first Moiré pattern generated by the first periodic structure 108. The detection area 111, the periodic structure 109 and the subset of light spots 103 are superimposed.
The subset of light spots 103 is oriented along axis x1, while the second periodic structure 109 is oriented along axis x2. The period of the periodic structure 108 is also referred to as b1.
The angle between axis x1 and axis x2 corresponds to the angular misalignment δ between the information carrier 101 and the array of light spots 103. For the sake of clarity, it is noted that the misalignment angle δ has been represented much larger than it would be in reality.
The second periodic structure 109 is oriented along axis x3, so that axis x2 and axis x3 define said second and known angle α0 as opposed to that of the first periodic structure 108. The absolute value of the angle α2 between axis x1 and axis x3 is thus defined as:
α2=|α0−δ| (5)
A projection of the light variation of the second Moiré pattern is performed for generating a projection signal I2 (similarly as signal I1 described above) whose frequency value F2 is calculated similarly to the first frequency value F1. This allows to derive the absolute value of the angle α2 between axis x1 and axis x3:
sin(α2)=b.F2 (6)
where F2 is the second frequency value of projection signal 12.
With the knowledge of α1 and α2 derived from (4) and (6) from frequency F1 and frequency F2, respectively, the sign of angle δ may thus be derived from the relation:
sign(δ)=sign(α1−α2) (7)
where sign(δ) represents the sign of parameter δ.
Alternatively, to determine the sign of angle δ, the second periodic structure 109 may be chosen as a structure identical with the first periodic structure 108, and placed parallel to the first periodic structure 108. In this case, the sign of angle δ is given by the sign of the phase difference between the signal derived from the projection of the first Moiré pattern generated by the first periodic structure 108, and the signal derived from the projection of the second Moiré pattern generated by the second periodic structure 109.
The analysis of Moiré patterns described above applies when angles α1 and α2 are in the range [b/L, b/2p]. For example, if the parameters of the system depicted in
To be able to measure larger angles α1 and α2, and as a consequence a larger misalignment angle δ, the period b1 of the first periodic structure 108 and the second periodic structure 109 may be increased. For example, if b=p=15 μm, angles α1 and α2 to be measured may be in the range [7.5e-4, 0.5], corresponding to angles approximately between 0.04 and 30 degrees. In this case, angle α0 is advantageously in the order of a few degrees.
Advantageously, it may also be possible to define an information carrier having a first set of periodic structures 108-109 having a first period b1, and a second a set of periodic structures 108′-109′ having a second period b2 different from the first period b1 (i.e. larger or smaller), as described hereinafter in
A signal Sδ reflecting the value of angle δ is passed through a low-pass filter F intended to generate controls signals 114 to actuators AC1-AC2-AC3. In response, the actuators AC1-AC2-AC3 correct their angular position, which modifies the measured angle δ. The optimal alignment between the information carrier and the array of light spots is reached when angle δ tends to zero.
The system according to the invention can advantageously be implemented in an apparatus for reading and/or writing data on an information carrier as previously described.
Use of the verb “to comprise” and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in the claims. Use of the article “a” or “an” preceding an element or step does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements or steps.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04300239 | Apr 2004 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2005/051303 | 4/21/2005 | WO | 00 | 10/24/2006 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2005/106856 | 11/10/2005 | WO | A |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20070277192 A1 | Nov 2007 | US |
