EP0018211A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tracking arrangement for a sensor of signals on an information track
Assignee: Discovision Associates
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Filing: 1980-04-17
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2000-04-17
Abstract
Abstract Reflected light from the record in an optical disc player is directed at a string of photo sensitiv diodes (18). Two adjacent diodes (e.g. 18i, 18i+l) of this string of diodes receive light from a selected portion (28) of the track on the disc. The outputs of these two adjacent diodes are summed together to generate the output signal (Vout) for the optical disc player. The outputs of the two diodes are also subtracted from one another to generate a differential signal (VD) for tracking purposes. The magnitude of this differential signal is a measure of the relative magnitudes of the signals on the two adjacent diodes and therefore is an indication of the position of track laterally of the diodes. When this differential output becomes larger than a preset value, a control logic circuit (26) showing that the two diodes are no longer receiving the reflected light, responds by changing the combination of two adjacent diodes in the string which receive the reflected light, and generate the video output signal and the difference signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert Richard Basilico
- 👤 Raymond John Wilfinger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:22
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B21/00; G11B7/00; G11B7/08; G11B7/09; G11B7/0901; G11B7/12; H; H10; H10F; H10F39/00; H10F39/10; H10F39/107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
. A tracking arrangement for a sensor of signals on longitudinal information tracks (N), for example a circular or helical track on a video disc or a computer memory, comprising an array of sensor devices (18) arranged to be disposed transversely in relation to the track, a first set of alternate devices (18 i , 18 i +2 ) in the array being capable of connection to a first output (20), and a second series of the intermediate devices (18 i-1 , 18 i+1 ) being capable of connection to a second output (22), means (26) responsive to, a combination of the outputs to provide a first signal representative of the information on the track, and responsive to a second combination of the output to provide a second signal for controlling which pair of two adjacent devices (18) one from each series are coupled to the first and second outputs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
. A tracking arrangement for a sensor of signals on longitudinal information tracks (N), for example a circular or helical track on a video disc or a computer memory, comprising an array of sensor devices (18) arranged to be disposed transversely in relation to the track, a first set of alternate devices (18 i , 18 i +2 ) in the array being capable of connection to a first output (20), and a second series of the intermediate devices (18 i-1 , 18 i+1 ) being capable of connection to a second output (22), means (26) responsive to, a combination of the outputs to provide a first signal representative of the information on the track, and responsive to a second combination of the output to provide a second signal for controlling which pair of two adjacent devices (18) one from each series are coupled to the first and second outputs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A tracking arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim including means for moving the sensor device array transversely in relation to the track.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A tracking arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim , including summing means (38) and difference means (44,46) for providing the first and second signals from the first and second outputs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A tracking arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim including a source (14) of optical or other radiation for focussing on the track and reflection onto the sensor devices.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
5 . . A tracking arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, including a controllable switch (24) capable of connecting each sensor device to its output (20 or 22).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A tracking arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim , including a decoder arranged in response to the second signal to connect two. adjacent devices only to their respective outputs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A tracking arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, including a generator (43,50) of a trigger signal in response to the second - combination being in excess of a pre-set value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A tracking arrangement as claimed in Claim 7, including a counter (64) of trigger signals, and in which the second signal is derived from the count of the counter
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
An array of sensor devices on a single chip comprising a common elongate anode conductor (72) and a number of cathode conductors (74a) spaced apart along the length of the anode conductor, each cathode conductor being an elongate strip extending away from the anode conductor, alternate strips extending to opposite sides.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
An array of sensor devices on a single chip comprising a common elongate anode conductor (72) and a number of cathode conductors (74a) spaced apart along the length of the anode conductor, each cathode conductor being an elongate strip extending away from the anode conductor, alternate strips extending to opposite sides.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
An array as claimed in Claim 9 including a common window (72) for all the cathode conductors where they are opposite the anode conductor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
An array as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10 in which the single chip has layers (80) defining two outputs one at each side of the anode conductor, and each cathode conductor extends adjacent one of the output layers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
An array as claimed in Claim 11 in which the common chip defines a controllable semi-conductor switching device for connecting each cathode conductor to its output layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tracking arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 1-8 in which the array of sensing devices is in accordance with any of Claims 9-12.
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