Writable optical drive with dynamically variable linear velocity to prevent buffer under-run

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for dynamically varying a linear velocity of an optical drive during a write operation to an optical disc to reduce the likelihood of a buffer under-run event. By reducing a linear velocity and writing speed while the optical drive writes on the disc, an embodiment of the invention preserves the buffer and reduces a minimum data transfer rate required to sustain writing to the disc for a sustained period of time. The basic components of one embodiment of a CD-RW drive () in which the present invention may be implemented include a controller (), a microcontroller (), a nonvolatile memory (), which stores firmware () executed by the microcontroller (), a buffer (), a spindle motor () and an optical pick-up ().