The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 10, 1996
Filed:
May. 30, 1995
Bryan A Cassels, Tucson, AZ (US);
James J Dente, Tucson, AZ (US);
Andrew A Gaudet, Tucson, AZ (US);
Ian E Henderson, Tucson, AZ (US);
Daniel J Winarski, Tucson, AZ (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A system to monitor write power calibration values in an optical drive to detect media and lens contamination, and take appropriate remedial action when contamination is found. A laser device writes data to an optical medium housed in the optical drive by imparting a laser beam upon the medium. The laser device provides the laser beam with a level of output power selected in accordance with a W/C value. A controller generates and repeatedly updates the W/C value, and provides it to the laser device. The controller samples the W/C value at selected times, and compares it to a predetermined value. If the W/C value exceeds the predetermined value, the controller executes a specific operational sequence. For example, the controller may issue a contamination warning. When the W/C value exceeds a second predetermined value, the controller may logically write-protect the optical medium, or shift the medium to another optical drive. Where the controller is implemented in an optical library with multiple optical drives, the controller may store a comprehensive list of W/C values for the drives.