Hewlett-packard Development Company, L.p.

Hewlett-packard Company

Other

Trail Ridge Technologies, LLC

D Mitchel Hanks

Lawrence Nathaniel Taugher

Greg J Lipinski

Kevin Lawrence Colburn

Andrew L Van Brocklin

Charles Robert Weirauch

Daryl E Anderson

Makarand P Gore

Jayprakash C Bhatt

Michael A Pate

Kevin L Miller

Paul Boerger

Larry S Metz

Jeffrey M Valley

Robert A Morain

Kevin L Colbum

A low power sensor system and protocol are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention include a sensor controlled switch that senses conditions. While the sensor controlled switch is sensing conditions and the switch that it controls is open, power is conserved. When a valid condition is sensed, the switch is closed which enables a sensor system to receive power. The powered sensor system can then perform tasks such as listen for radio transmissions from a human interface device and respond to these. In another embodiment of the invention a delayed shutdown is executed, wherein the sensor system is put in a low power state for a period of time before responding to further conditions sensed by the sensor controlled switch. An example application is in a battery powered vehicle camera system.

Low power sensor system

A method of measuring a relative darkness of an image recorded on a recording medium, comprising: applying first electromagnetic energy having a first wavelength to the recording medium to record an image thereon, applying second electromagnetic energy having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength to the recorded image on the recording medium, and measuring a reflection of the second electromagnetic energy from the recorded image to determine the relative darkness of the recorded image.

Labeling methods and apparatus using energy of two wavelengths

Systems and methods for calibrating laser write power in a digital media drive are disclosed. The method includes writing to a calibration portion on a digital media labeling layer with energy from a laser. The writing includes using at least two different laser power settings within the calibration portion. The method also includes measuring a parameter in the calibration segment, the parameter being indicative of the reflectivity of the labeling layer, and determining a calibrated laser write power setting based on the measured parameter and the at least two different laser write power settings.

System and method for laser write power calibration

As an optical disc is being rotated within an optical drive, an optical mechanism of the optical drive traces a discrete spiral path relative to the optical disc. As the discrete spiral path is traced by the optical mechanism of the optical drive, the optical mechanism selectively writes to the optical disc.

Tracing discrete spiral path relative to optical disc

An optical scanning device and method are provided for marking an optically sensitive layer. The device can include an optical source capable of emitting a beam. At least one pivot can be configured to enable the beam to travel through a beam output arc. In addition, a mirror surface can be oriented toward the optically sensitive layer. The mirror surface can be configured to reflect the beam within the defined beam output arc onto a plurality of locations of the optically sensitive layer.

Device and method for optical scanning

Disclosed are various systems, methods, and programs embodied in a computer readable medium for calibration of a lens position in an optical disc drive. In one embodiment, a method is provided that comprises manipulating a lens focus actuator to relocate the lens from a first position to a second position. The lens substantially focuses a laser onto the surface of the optical disc when in the second position. The method also comprises determining a first input setting delta to the lens focus actuator that corresponds to a predefined position offset of the lens. The first input setting delta is determined based upon a second input setting delta corresponding to a distance between the first position and the second position.

Calibration of lens position in an optical disc drive

This invention relates to a method of determining the location of a plurality of laser spots, comprising: determining a first distance of a first laser spot; determining a second distance of the first laser spot; determining a first distance of a second laser spot; determining a second distance of the second laser spot; and adjusting, if necessary, the locations of the first and second laser.

Method of laser spot location and adjustment thereof

Calibration of a focus offset in an optical drive. A calibration pattern, comprising a plurality of marked areas, is marked upon a medium. A user input is received, identifying a perceived darkest marked area of the calibration pattern. The focus offset is determined corresponding to the perceived darkest marked area.

Calibration of a focus offset in an optical drive

A method for detecting and optimizing the quality of a mark made by a laser on a recording medium, comprising (a) recording a test mark at a selected level of laser power and a selected speed of movement of the recording medium, (b) measuring at least one dimension of the test mark, (c) comparing the at least one dimension of the test mark to a stored reference value for at least one reference dimension, and (d) determining whether the at least one dimension of the test mark is comparable to the at least one dimension of the stored reference value.

Methods and apparatus for detecting and optimizing laser mark quality on recording media

A method of compensating for output variations in laser power output over time in a system using a laser to record visible marks on an optical disc, the method comprising (a) applying a test light beam from the laser to the optical disc to determine a test value of an optical parameter, (b) determining a difference between the test value and a predetermined reference value for the optical parameter, and (c) adjusting the laser power output to compensate for the difference.

Methods and apparatus to compensate for power output variations over time

Focus calibration in an optical drive. Optics are moved with respect to a disc in the optical drive. A first interface of the disc is optically detected at a first distance, and a first drive signal value is detected at the first interface. A drive signal change is determined using a second drive signal value at a second distance. A gain is determined using the drive signal change and a thickness associated with the first and second distances.

Focus calibration in an optical drive

Various systems, methods, and programs embodied on a computer-readable medium are provided for calibrating a laser power in an optical disc drive. In one embodiment, a plurality of marked segments of a calibration pattern are created on a label surface of an optical disc with a laser in the optical disc drive. The marked segments are created by the application of assorted quanta of radiant energy from the laser. The reflectivity of the marked segments is measured. Ultimately, the laser power of a laser in the optical disc drive is set for writing a label based upon the reflectivities measured for each of the marked segments for each quantum of radiant energy.

Laser power calibration in an optical disc drive

One embodiment provides a method of providing a user with information quicker than could be achieved by obtaining the information from a storage source, the method comprising receiving a request from a user for stored data accessible by the user, the stored data maintained on one or more disks accessible one at a time and wherein the disks have a latency between the time of the request and the time the information is actually available, and obtaining a first portion of the requested data from a source other than where the requested data is stored, the amount of the first portion spanning the latency period.

System and method for using swappable storage for storing program data

Various systems, methods, and programs embodied on a computer-readable medium are provided for calibrating a laser power in an optical disc drive. In one embodiment, a range of reflectivity of an optical disc in the optical disc drive is established. A calibration pattern of marked segments is written to the optical disc and the reflectivity of the marked segments is measured. An average reflectivity is generated for each one of a plurality of laser power settings within the range of reflectivity, thereby obtaining a curve that depicts the average reflectivity with respect to the laser power settings. The laser power setting at a knee of the curve is identified and a slope of the curve at a position on the curve where the average reflectivity decreases as the laser power settings increase is determined. The laser power setting is calculated that results in a predefined darkness based upon the laser power setting at the knee and based upon the slope.

For at least some layers of a number of stacked layers of an optical disc that correspond to different colors, an optical beam is selectively impinged on a region of the optical disc. The optical beam has a wavelength to which the layer is uniquely sensitive as compared to other of the layers, to sufficiently heat the layer so as to cause the region to change from at least substantially translucent to a color to which the layer corresponds.

Growing community of inventors

Fort Collins, CO, United States of America

D Mitchel Hanks