Read focus optimization for an optical disk drive

A method for optimizing the read focus offset in an optical storage system which includes a predetermined optimization pattern written to a storage disk, comprising:

• reading the optimization pattern while maintaining the read focus offset constant and storing a baseline amplitude signal;
• reading the optimization pattern while varying the read focus offset and storing a resulting variable amplitude signal;
• analyzing the baseline amplitude signal and the variable amplitude signal to produce a difference array indicative of the change in the amplitude signal caused by varying the offset;
• and
• analyzing the difference array to determine which amount of read focus offset produced the largest positive value in the difference array.

An optimized data storage system capable of adjusting the read focus offset to provide optimum data reading capabilities, comprising:

• a data storage media having a predetermined data pattern prewritten in a plurality of data sectors thereon;
• a read mechanism associated with the storage media for reading data and producing a data output signal at a data output, the read mechanism having a focus offset system for introducing a focus offset into the read mechanism;
• and
• a controller attached to the read mechanism for receiving and analyzing the data output signal, the controller for further having a controller output attached to the read mechanism to control the focus offset system, wherein the controller initiates a first read pass wherein the predetermined data pattern is read while the focus offset is kept constant producing a baseline data set at the data output, and a second read pass wherein the focus offset is varied between a maximum offset and a minimum offset producing a varied data set at the data output, the controller for further analyzing the baseline data set and the varied data set to determine which focus offset produces an optimum data output signal.