Optical Drive Laser Lifetime Extension via Pulsed Light Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical drive systems face challenges in extending the lifetime of laser diodes used for reading data from optical discs, as they are affected by ambient temperature and power consumption, leading to reduced operational time and increased power usage, especially in portable and vehicle-based devices prone to mechanical disturbances.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a reproducing system with a light source driver unit that operates in two modes: a reading mode with continuous light output and a light source lifetime extension mode with pulsed light output, allowing the laser diode to be switched off during non-reading intervals to reduce power consumption and ambient temperature, while maintaining focus and tracking servo controls to minimize system recovery and re-synchronization time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the light source operates in continuous mode to maintain tracking and focus, then the tracking and focus accuracy is improved, but the light source lifetime and power consumption are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by switching the light source between continuous operation mode (when reading data) and pulsed operation mode (when not reading data). The light source driver unit receives control signals to switch between these modes, allowing the system to maintain tracking and focus during pulsed operation while significantly reducing the average duty cycle of the light source, thereby extending its lifetime without compromising tracking accuracy during active periods.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If the light source is switched off during non-reading intervals, then power consumption is reduced, but system recovery and re-synchronization time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by maintaining the focus and tracking servo controls in a ready state even when the light source is in pulsed operation mode. The system pre-positions the optical components and maintains servo loop readiness, so that when the light source is switched back to continuous mode for reading, the system can resume data reading immediately without requiring lengthy recovery or re-synchronization sequences, thus minimizing system recovery time while still achieving power savings.
3Productivity
If the light source operates continuously to ensure data reading capability, then the data reading continuity is improved, but the ambient temperature and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by operating the light source in pulsed mode during non-reading intervals, which significantly reduces the average power consumption and consequently lowers the ambient temperature generated by the light source. The system switches between continuous operation (when data reading is required) and pulsed operation (when buffer has sufficient data), achieving temperature reduction while maintaining data reading continuity through proper buffer management and timing.
Data Source
AI summary
A reproducing system reproduces data recorded on an optical record carrier. The system includes a light source driver unit that modulates and controls a light output by a light source, such as a laser, in order to read data from an optical record carrier. The system is configured to operate in two modes: a reading mode and a light source lifetime extension mode. During the reading mode, the light source generates a continuous light output while data is read from the optical record carrier. During the light source lifetime extension mode, the light source generates a pulsed light output which may provide continued tracking and focus of the light on the optical record carrier, even when no data is being read from it.