Patent Application
20090190462
The present invention relates to an optical recording apparatus capable of writing information on an optical medium in a writing mode and capable of writing a label image on an optical medium in a label mode.
Conventional optical recording devices are configured to write data to an optical medium by a process, where a laser beam from the optical recording device selectively raise the temperature on certain areas on the optical medium causing a change in the optical properties of the selected areas. Often this process is called “burning”. Thus, information is provided on the optical medium, the information being represented in a binary form, i.e. 1's and 0's, which are afterwards readable by an optical reading device. Usually, optical recording devices are integrated with such an optical reading device.
Standard formats are given for compact discs (CD), such as writable compact disc (CD-R) and re-writable compact disc (CD-RW), and digital versatile discs (DVD), such as re-writable digital versatile discs (DVD+RW, DVD-RW or DVD-RAM) and writable digital versatile discs (DVD+R and DVD-R). Recently, the Blu-ray Disc format has also emerged.
After writing information to an optical medium (the disc), the user may decide to label the optical medium so as to distinguish one recorded optical disc from the other. Hitherto, stickers and special speed markers were effectively the only possibilities to most consumers, and both options represent problems in terms of durability, compatibility with the optical medium, stability during optical reading, etc.
Recently, the so-called LightScribe™ technology has emerged, which solves many of the aforementioned problems. This method applies the laser for writing information to a new purpose; i.e. for writing a label image on the non-data side of the optical medium. After turning over the optical medium in the optical recording device, so that the laser enters on the non-data side, the laser writes a pattern of dots on the optical medium so as to form a label image. Preferably, the label image is chosen by the user. In some design, there is located an extra dedicated laser on the non-data side of the optical medium in the optical recording apparatus, thus the optical medium need not be turned over for label writing.
However, an inherent problem with the LightScribe™ technology is the low rotational frequency of the optical medium, typically a few Hz, which substantially limits the wind cooling otherwise provided by the rotation of the optical medium, typically 20 up to 160 Hz. Especially, for label writing this problem becomes more acute as the laser typically is on full power for extended periods of time. Thus, a temperature problem results. A dedicated fan can solve this temperature problem, but this solution complicates the design and raises the cost of the drive and the manufacturing. The temperature problem may cause a heat up of parts of the optical recording apparatus above the specified temperature, e.g. lasers are typically specified to operate below a temperature of 75° C.
Hence, an improved optical recording apparatus with the ability of writing a label image on the non-data side of the optical medium would be advantageous, and in particular a more efficient and/or reliable optical recording apparatus would be advantageous.
Accordingly, the invention preferably seeks to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above mentioned disadvantages singly or in any combination. In particular, it may be seen as an object of the present invention to provide an optical recording apparatus that solves the above mentioned problems of the prior art with temperature raise during label image writing of an optical medium. Especially, it may be seen as an object to provide an optical recording apparatus, which solves the problem with temperature raise during label writing in a simple and cost efficient manner.
This object and several other objects are obtained in a first aspect of the invention by providing an optical recording apparatus capable of writing information on an optical medium in a writing mode and capable of writing a label image on an optical medium in a label mode, the apparatus comprising:
The invention is particularly, but not exclusively advantageous in that the present invention may be applied by relatively small or no modifications of optical recording devices already known in the art. Thus, the invention can be readily implemented with immediate result on the temperature of the optical recording apparatus during label mode.
Processing means is understood to mean any means suitable for performing calculations, for example a processor, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, a hard-wired analog circuit or a field programmable circuit in the context of this application. Furthermore, devices for manipulating an electric signal may also be considered as part of the processing means, even though the devices are physically separate entities and only electrically connected. Examples may comprise filters, discriminators, amplifiers, etc. Thus, such manipulating devices may be considered to form part of one or more processing means. In particular, processing means are also meant to include photo detection means converting radiation to one or more electric signals.
Advantageously, at least one of said one or more processing means that are turned off may be capable of encoding information to be written on the optical medium. Similarly, at least one of said one or more processing means may be capable of decoding information to be read from the optical medium. As the processing means for encoding and decoding dissipates a relatively high amount of power, these embodiments of the invention provides a significant power reduction.
During writing mode, the optical recording apparatus may comprise one or more processing means adapted to control the radial position of the optical head by a closed loop feedback control scheme, and similarly, one or more processing means adapted to control the focal point of the radiation relative to the optical medium by a closed loop feedback control scheme. However, these processing means may advantageously be turned off during the label mode, possibly only partly turned off.
At least one of said processing means may—during label mode—alternate between at least two different power levels at least for a pre-defined period of time, for reduced power dissipation. The turned off condition is per definition an applied power level of substantially 0 W. Thus, the processing means may be operated in a duty cycle for reduced power consumption. Possibly, the processing means may only be partly turned on during the turned on periods of the duty cycle, i.e. with an applied power below the nominal or specified power.
The displacement means may comprise radial tilt means for rotating the lens around an axis, the axis being positioned in a plane substantially parallel to the optical medium and in a direction orthogonal to a radial direction of the optical medium. The radial tilt means may be adapted to be, at least partly, turned off in label mode, possibly just for a pre-defined period of time.
Advantageously, the processing means comprise a photodetector, the photodetector may be adapted to be, at least partly, turned off in label mode at least for a pre-defined period of time. This may provide a significant reduction in the power dissipated, possibly up to 0.3 W for a typical optical recording apparatus.
In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for controlling an optical recording apparatus, the method comprises a write mode, wherein information is written on an optical medium, the write mode comprising the following operations:
And, the method comprises a label mode, wherein a label image is written on an optical medium, the label mode comprising the following operations:
This aspect of the invention is particularly, but not exclusively advantageous in that the present invention provides an improved method for operating an optical recording device with a reduced power consumption (and as a result a reduced temperature) of the device during label writing as an immediate result.
In a third aspect, the invention relates to a computer program product being adapted to enable a computer system comprising at least one computer having data storage means associated therewith to control an optical recording apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention.
This aspect of the invention is particularly, but not exclusively advantageous in that the present invention may be implemented by a computer program product enabling a computer system to perform the operations of the second aspect of the invention. Thus, it is contemplated that some known optical recording devices may be changed to operate according to the present invention by installing a computer program product on a computer system controlling the said optical recording device. Such a computer program product may be provided on any kind of computer readable medium, e.g. magnetically or optically based medium, or through a computer based network, e.g. the Internet.
The first, second, and third aspects of the present invention may each be combined with any of the other aspects.
These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.
The present invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying Figs., where
The data side 2 comprises a material suitable for recording information by means of a radiation beam 5. The recording material may be of, for example, the magneto-optical type, the phase-change type, the dye type, metal alloys like Cu/Si or any other suitable material. Information may be recorded in the form of optically detectable regions, also called marks, on the data side 2.
The non-data side 3 of the optical medium 1 may comprise laser-sensitive materials like infrared sensitive dye or heat sensitive dye, possible dyes that are activatable at a first temperature or laser power and deactivatable at a second temperature or laser power. By variation of the laser power the dye may obtain various colors depending on the laser power. For a list of appropriate materials see e.g. the materials listed in US 2003 0108708. The optical medium 1 is normally of a circular form but other shapes are possible.
The apparatus comprises an optical head 20, the optical head 20 being displaceable by actuation means 21, e.g. an electric stepping motor. The optical head 20 comprises a photo detection system 10, a radiation source 4, a beam splitter 6, an objective lens 7, and lens displacement means 9.
The function of the photo detection system 10 is to convert radiation 8 reflected from the medium 1 into electrical signals. Thus, the photo detection system 10 comprises one or more photo detectors, e.g. photodiodes, charged coupled devices (CCD), capable of generating one or more electric output signals that are transmitted to a pre-processor 11. The one or more photo detectors can be arranged spatially to one another, and with a sufficient time resolution so as to be enable detection of focus and radial tracking errors in the pre-processor 11. Thus, the pre-processor 11 can transmit focus and radial tracking error signals to the processor 50. The photo detection system 10 can also transmits a read signal representing the information being read from the medium 1 to the processor 50.
The radiation source 4 for emitting a radiation beam 5 can for example be a semiconductor laser with a variable power, possibly also with variable wavelength of radiation. Alternatively, the radiation source 4 may comprise more than one laser. Especially, if the optical recording apparatus is capable of function as an optical reading apparatus the radiation source 4 may comprise a dedicated reading laser for reading information from the medium 1. Such a reading laser will typically have a lower power output relative to a writing laser.
The optical head 20 is optically arranged so that the radiation beam 5 is directed to the optical medium 1 via a beam splitter 6, and an objective lens 7. Radiation 8 reflected from the medium 1 is collected by the objective lens 7 and, after passing through the beam splitter 6, falls on a photo detection system 10 which converts the incident radiation 8 to output signals as described above.
In this embodiment, the processor 50 receives and analyses output signals from the pre-processor 11. The processor 50 can also output control signals to the actuation means 21, the radiation source 4, the lens displacement means 9, and the holding means 30, as illustrated in
The processor 50 is divided into blocks 51, 52, and 53. For illustrative purposes only, the three blocks 51, 52, and 53 are shown as separate physical distinct entities, the blocks may as well be a single integrated entity or two distinct entities. Block 51 comprises processing means for encoding information to be written on the data-side 2 of the medium 1. The block 51 also comprises processing means for decoding information to be read from the medium 1. Block 52 comprises processing means for digital signal processing (DSP). The processor 50 comprises a block 53 with processing means similar to a microprocessor for overall control and operation of the processor 50.
When the optical recording apparatus shown in
More specifically, the label mode may be further subdivided into a first and second label mode. The first label mode comprises preliminary steps for label writing, i.e. focus control or recalibration (learning) in to order to focus the radiation 5 on the non data side 3 for label writing, medium 1 recognition by the optical recording apparatus, and readout of control data on one or more specially dedicated areas on the medium 1. The second label mode is the actual label writing mode where sequences of dark and light dots are written in concentric circles on the non-data side 3. Dark dots are generated by applying a high power, e.g. 35 mW by an infrared laser, and light dots are generated by applying no or low power by an infrared laser. The labels are written at a constant linear velocity of the medium 1 generated by the holding means 30.
In Table 1, some selected components and parts of the optical recording apparatus are listed and arranged according to their power status during the writing mode and the first and second label mode. Various components or parts of the optical recording apparatus are listed in the column on the far left. The list of components or parts is non-exhaustive, i.e. other components or parts of an optical recording apparatus known to the skilled person may function according the present invention. Then follows a column where the listed parts or components are categorized as A, B, and C depending on the power status during the writing mode and the label mode, as will be explained below. In the three columns in the right part of Table 1, the power status during the writing mode and the first and second label modes, respectively, are given as “on” or “off”. By “on” is meant that the applied power level is substantially equal to the nominal power level. “Off” is defined as application of substantially no power, e.g. 0 W. However, it should be noticed, that in some embodiments one or more components or parts can be partly turned on or partly turned off. Furthermore, parts or components may be subdivided into several sections where some sections may be “on” while others may be “off”.
As seen in Table 1, category C is the parts or components that are on during writing and off during the first and second label mode. Thus, during the first and second label model the processing means 51 for encoding and decoding information are off completely. Similarly, if the radiation source 4 comprises a dedicated reading laser, e.g. a red laser for DVD applications, the reading laser can also be off during the first and second label mode.
During the writing mode, the focal and radial control is provided by a closed loop control scheme where parts of the processing means 11, 52, and 53 generates corresponding error signals that are minimized by variation of the focus and radial control parameters, respectively. In Table 1, these part of the processing means 11, 52, and 53 are named “Radial/focal closed loop control means”, and because their are off during label mode they are of category C.
The lens displacement means 9 comprises means for so-called radial tilt, wherein the lens 7 is rotated around an axis, the axis being positioned in a plane substantially parallel to the optical medium 1 and in a direction orthogonal to a radial direction of the optical medium 1. The radial tilt means can also be turned off in first and second label mode, thus, the radial tilt means are of category C according to Table 1.
Category B is the components or parts that are on during the writing mode and the first and second label mode, respectively. During the second label mode the radiation source 4 for writing a label image should of course be on, but for focus tracking and control readout the radiation source 4 should also be on, i.e. in the first label mode. Similarly, processing means 52 and 53 for DSP and overall controlling, respectively, are also on during both first and second label modes as seen in Table 1.
Category A comprises the components or parts that are turned on in the first label mode and turned off in the second label mode. During the first label mode, the photo detection system 10 and the pre-processor 11 are on to allow focus learning (iterative optimization of focus position based on radiation 8 reflected from medium 1) for the label writing, but for the second label mode the photo detection system 10 and the pre-processor 11 are turned off to reduce power dissipation and therefore the temperature of the optical recording apparatus. As the start-up time for such photo detection systems 10 is typically vanishing, it is not a problem to alternate quickly between the first and second label mode. In the context of the present invention any filters, amplifiers, discriminators, trigger circuits, normalizer circuits, etc. (not shown in
The invention provides noticeable result that efficiently reduces power consumption; thus, the temperature of the recording apparatus is reduced accordingly. Turning down the processing means 11 and 51 may generate up to 1.0 W of saved power. Shutting down photo detection system 10 can save 0.3 W. Thermal modeling and tests demonstrate a temperature reduction of up to 7.5° C. for a typical recording apparatus during label mode operation.
Although the present invention has been described in connection with the specified embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Rather, the scope of the present invention is limited only by the accompanying claims. In the claims, the term comprising does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different claims, these may possibly be advantageously combined, and the inclusion in different claims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. In addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality. Thus, references to “a”, “an”, “first”, “second” etc. do not preclude a plurality. Furthermore, reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04105123.6 | Oct 2004 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2005/053304 | 10/7/2005 | WO | 00 | 4/11/2007 |
