Optical Disc Discrimination via Physical Information Area Seek

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical disc devices face challenges in accurately discriminating between optical discs with different recording densities, leading to difficulties in performing seek operations and reading physical information areas, especially when the recording layer number increases beyond two layers.

Innovation Solution

An optical disc discrimination method that performs a seek operation to a predetermined reference address in the user data area, followed by a seek operation to a target address in the physical information area, and reads the current address to determine the type of optical disc loaded, using different formats for the user data and physical information areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the recording layer number is increased to three layers or four layers, then the recording capacity is improved, but the accuracy of counting recording layers deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording capacityVSAvoidaccuracy of counting recording layers

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the discrimination task from the user data area to a dedicated physical information area. By seeking to a predetermined address in the physical information area and reading the current address, the system obtains accurate disc type information without being affected by the increased complexity of multi-layer structures. This separates the discrimination function from the data storage function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a physical information area as an intermediary structure between the optical pickup and the user data area. This intermediary contains predetermined addresses that serve as reference points for accurate disc type discrimination, mediating between the optical system and the complex multi-layer recording structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a seek operation is performed to the physical information area without accurate recording density determination, then the disc type discrimination is improved, but the seek operation accuracy may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisc type discrimination accuracyVSAvoidseek operation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs a seek operation to a predetermined reference address in the user data area before seeking to the physical information area. This preliminary action establishes a known reference point that accounts for the actual recording density of the loaded disc, ensuring that subsequent seek operations to the physical information area are accurate despite variations in recording density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the current address read from the physical information area as feedback to determine the disc type. This feedback mechanism allows the system to verify the seek operation accuracy and adapt to the specific disc loaded, improving both discrimination accuracy and seek precision through iterative verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the address format differs between user data area and physical information area, then the information storage flexibility is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation storage flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the optical disc into distinct functional areas: a user data area with one address format and a physical information area with a different address format. Each area is optimized for its specific purpose, with the physical information area using a simplified address structure suitable for disc type discrimination, while the user data area maintains flexibility for various data storage formats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method securely performs seek operations to the physical information area and accurately discriminates the type of optical disc, even when the recording density is not accurately determined, ensuring reliable data reading and recording.

Implementation Method 1

reading information recorded on the optical disc or recording information on the optical disc by irradiating a light beam onto the optical disc

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS8335141B2Optical disc discrimination method, optical disc device and integrated circuit

Publication Date: 2012.12.18 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

Provided are an optical disc discrimination method, an optical disc device and an integrated circuit that enable to accurately discriminate the type of an optical disc. The optical disc discrimination method comprises a first seeking step (S3) of performing a seek operation to a predetermined reference address in a user data area; a second seeking step (S5) of performing a seek operation from the reference address sought in the first seeking step (S3) to a predetermined target address in a physical information area, an address reading step (S7) of reading a current address at a position sought in the second seeking step (S5), and an optical disc type determination step (S8 through S10) of determining the type of the optical disc loaded in the optical disc device, based on the current address read in the address reading step (S7).