Apparatus and method for analysis of optical storage media

An apparatus for analyzing an optical storage medium comprising:

• a platform configured to support the optical storage medium, the optical storage medium defining at least one side having a data layer;
• at least one light positioned to illuminate the at least one side having a data layer along a principal axis;
• at least one off-axis light detector not positioned along a principal reflected axis, the principal reflected axis being the path taken by light reflected from a substantially unblemished surface of the optical storage medium and incident on the unblemished surface along the principal axis, the at least one off-axis light detector positioned to receive light reflected from the optical storage medium and provide an output signal as function of the received reflected light;
• and
• at least one circuit element configured to receive the output signal from the light detector and to provide an output indicative of the integrity of the at least one side having a data layer.

An apparatus for analyzing an optical storage medium comprising:

• means for supporting an optical storage medium;
• means for directing a light signal on an outer surface of the optical storage medium, the optical storage medium including encoded data on a recording layer, the recording layer underlying the outer surface;
• means for detecting some portion of the light signal reflected from the optical storage medium and providing at least one output signal;
• and
• means for assessing the output signal to determine the integrity of the outer surface of the optical storage medium;
• means for assessing whether the encoded data may be accurately read from the recording layer based on the integrity of the outer surface of the optical storage medium.