Deutsche Thomson-brandt Gmbh

Harman Becker Automotive Systems Gmbh

Thomson Licensing

Richard Rutschmann

Hirohito Takagi

Michael Huonker

Marten Kabutz

Hans-Robert Kuhn

Engelbert Laufer

Lothar Freissmann

Olivier Lannuzel

A system including an automotive navigation system; an external drive; a first bus for connecting the external drive with the automotive navigation system; a second bus, which is different from the first bus, for connecting the external drive with the automotive navigation system. The external drive is connectable to the automotive navigation system via the first bus and the second bus. The automotive navigation system is adapted to read data from the external drive via the first bus. The automotive navigation system is adapted to control and to monitor the external drive via the second bus.

Control of an external drivebox

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.

Reproducing system for use with optical devices

A method and arrangement for using Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM) as storage for correction and track buffering in front end ICs of optical recording or reproduction devices. Data to be stored or read is organized in appropriate bursts for accelerating the SDRAM (SDR) traffic. The SDRAM is built around two banks of memory, and are accessed using a pipelined address logic, thereby accelerating access speeds.

Usage of an SDRAM as storage for correction and track buffering in frontend ICs of optical recording or reproduction devices

A method and arrangement for automatically setting a gain in a control loop using a tuning signal provides in a one method step, measurement of existing gain while a tuning signal is input, and then calculating consequent gain changes, which is to be carried out in the control loop, from a measured value for the gain. The reciprocal of the measured gain is calculated and the reciprocal of measured gain is used to calculate a gain change to automatically re-establish the gain.

Automatic setting of gain in control loops

A control unit is used to set a first reading speed and a second reading speed of the information stored on the information medium as a function of a predetermined occupancy of the buffer below its storage capacity, for the purpose of reducing the number of returns. The drive motor which produces the reading speed is connected via a switch to the driver which drives it and, during the reduction of the reading speed to a predetermined value or until the occupancy of the buffer falls below a predetermined occupancy, the power supply to the drive motor which produces the reading speed, is reduced by means of a switch for the purpose of reducing the power consumption. Subcode information is preferably used to synchronize the data in the buffer after an interruption, and the buffer is preferably arranged between a first assembly for the pulse shaping of the signal read from the information medium and a second assembly for error correction.

Vibration-resistant playback device

A method and an arrangement for a vibration-resistant playback device, in which uninterrupted and undisturbed reproduction of information is assured despite vibrations, by use of a 'shock-proof memory' by arrangement of a buffer between an EFM demodulator, and a de-interleaving and error correction unit, which provides the digital audio information. The buffer can be made of an ARAM (audio RAM), which is less expensive than a DRAM. The ARAM can be partially defective, and its use is made possible by the arrangement before the error correction unit. Subcode information is preferably used to synchronize the data in the buffer following an interruption.

A control unit sets a first reading speed and a second reading speed of the information stored on the information medium as a function of a predetermined occupancy of the buffer below its storage capacity. The drive motor, which produces the reading speed, is connected via a switch to the driver which drives it and, during a reduction of the reading speed to a predetermined value or until the occupancy of the buffer falls below a predetermined occupancy, the power supply to the drive motor which produces the reading speed, is reduced by means of the switch for the purpose of reducing the power consumption.

Vibration-resistant playback device having reduced power consumption

A control unit, stores addresses of a write pointer of a buffer in the case of the last valid subcode information and starts with a synchronization byte following an interruption. The synchronization byte is provided for the synchronization of the data stream in the buffer, an item of address information which identifies the interruption location in the data stream, the starting point of the synchronization being formed by a valid subcode, the address information being used as a reference both for the location of the interruption on the information medium and for the last valid data in the buffer and the writing in the buffer. This is done so that uninterrupted reproduction of information is provided despite vibrations in the playback device.

Vibration-resistant playback device having improved synchronization

A process and an arrangement for identifying the type of defects in optical information from an optical information carrier includes circuitry for detecting the displaying various types of defects which can occur in the information carrier. A processing circuit is linked to a display device to enable the cause of the defect to be displayed. The invention facilitates evaluation of the fidelity of reproduction of optical information carriers,

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Wutoschingen, Germany

Richard Rutschmann