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:
Jan. 03, 2006
Filed:
Apr. 28, 2003
Applicants:
Dirk A. Erickson, Austin, TX (US);
Munif M. Farhan, Round Rock, TX (US);
Inventors:
Dirk A. Erickson, Austin, TX (US);
Munif M. Farhan, Round Rock, TX (US);
Assignee:
Dell Products L.P., Round Rock, TX (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H01J 40/14 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract
A system and method for using a photodiode to self-test an optical drive is disclosed. An optical drive includes a light source that emits a light for interacting with optical media. A photodiode placed adjacent the light source detects a portion of the light, such that the photodiode generates an electrical signal proportional to the light that is detected. A circuit is electrically coupled to the photodiode. The circuit receives the electrical signal and, based on the electrical signal, the circuit tests the operability of the optical drive.