US 7,009,165 B2 · Optical detection device for detecting an intensity of a light beam and for detecting data transmitted by the light beam

Abstract

An optical detection device for detecting an intensity of a light beam in a detection window and for detecting data transmitted by the light beam includes a first detection diode and an array of at least two second detection diodes in a detection window. In addition, provision is made for a first readout circuit connectable to the first detection diode, for reading out the first detection diode at a first readout speed to detect the data, and for a second readout circuit connectable to the second detection diodes, for reading out the second detection diodes at a second readout speed smaller than the first readout speed, so as to detect the intensity of the light beam. A fundamental consideration underlying the present invention is that although the provision of additional detection diodes in the detection window initially is associated with additional expense and a reduction of the surface area of the detection window which may effectively be utilized for data detection, these disadvantages are outweighed however, by the fact that this array of additional detection diodes in the detection window enables more effective and/or less expensive control of the alignment of the light beam transmitting the data with the detection window.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An optical detection device for detecting an intensity of a light beam in a detection window and for detecting data transmitted by the light beam, comprising

an array having a plurality of first detection diodes in the detection window;
an array having a plurality of second detection diodes in the detection window;
a first readout circuit connectable to the first detection diodes, for reading out the first detection diodes at a first readout speed to yield the data;
and
a second readout circuit connectable to the second detection diodes, for reading out the second detection diodes at a second readout speed lower than the first readout speed, to determine the intensity of the light beam, wherein the array of first detection diodes is an n×n array, and the array of second detection diodes is an (n+1)×(n+1) array, both arrays being arranged such that the first detection diodes are arranged in the gaps of the array of second detection diodes.

2 more elements

An optical scanning device for reading out a track of an optical plate by detecting the light beam reflected from a track and modeled in accordance with data stored on the track, comprising

an optical detection device for detecting an intensity of a light beam in a detection window and for detecting data transmitted by the light beam, comprising
an array having a plurality of first detection diodes in the detection window;
an array having a plurality of second detection diodes in the detection window;
a first readout circuit connectable to the first detection diodes, for reading out the first detection diodes at a first readout speed to yield the data;
and
a second readout circuit connectable to the second detection diodes, for reading out the second detection diodes at a second readout speed lower than the first readout speed, to determine the intensity of the light beam, wherein the array of first detection diodes is an n×n array, and the array of second detection diodes is an (n+1)×(n+1) array, both arrays being arranged such that the first detection diodes are arranged in the gaps of the array of second detection diodes;
and
a controller for outputting control signals for tracking and/or focus control depending on the detected intensity of the light beam at the second detection diodes.

5 more elements

An optical storage device, comprising

an optical plate having an optical track which has data stored thereon;
a light-beam generator for generating the light beam;
an optical scanning device for reading out a track of an optical plate by detecting the light beam reflected from a track and modeled in accordance with data stored on the track, comprising
an optical detection device for detecting an intensity of a light beam in a detection window and for detecting data transmitted by the light beam, comprising
an array having a plurality of first detection diodes in the detection window;
an array having a plurality of second detection diodes in the detection window;
a first readout circuit connectable to the first detection diodes, for reading out the first detection diodes at a first readout speed to yield the data;
and
a second readout circuit connectable to the second detection diodes, for reading out the second detection diodes at a second readout speed lower than the first readout speed, to determine the intensity of the light beam, wherein the array of first detection diodes is an n×n array, and the array of second detection diodes is an (n+1)×(n+1) array, both arrays being arranged such that the first detection diodes are arranged in the gaps of the array of second detection diodes;
and
a controller for outputting control signals for tracking and/or focus control depending on the detected intensity of the light beam and the second detection diodes;
optics for focusing the light beam onto the track and for directing a light beam which has been reflected from the track to the detection window of the optical detection device;
a carrier for carrying the first and second detection diodes of the optical detection device, the light-beam generator and the optics;
and
a servo for setting a distance between the carrier and the track, and a lateral position of the carrier in relation to the track, depending on the control signal for tracking and focus control from the optical scanning device.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Optical detection device for detecting an intensity of a light beam and for detecting data transmitted by the light beam

Life of this patent

Optical detection device for detecting an intensity of a light beam and for detecting data transmitted by the light beam

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16