US4792933A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical recording/reproducing apparatus having disk lifetime estimating device
Assignee: Pioneer Corp
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Filing: 1987-08-26
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Granted: 1988-12-20
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Expires: 2007-08-26
Abstract
Abstract An optical recording/reproducing apparatus capable of accurately estimating the remaining service life of an optical disk without the need for recording large amounts of information on the disk beforehand. At the time of manufacture, the reflection factor in a specified blank portion of the disk is detected and the detected value recorded in a predetermined position on the disk. To estimate the remaining lifetime at a later time, the reflection factor is again detected and compared with the recorded value.
Inventors
- 👤 Tsutomu Suzuki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:23
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/002; G11B7/0037; G11B7/00375; G11B19/00; G11B19/02; G11B19/12; G11B20/00; G11B20/10; G11B20/18; G11B20/1816
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
An optical recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: a pickup for irradiating a disk to perform information recording/reproducing on said disk; means for driving said pickup to a predetermined position including a specified blank portion of said disk; a detector circuit for detecting a reflection factor at said specified blank portion of said disk; means for comparing a value of said reflection factor at said specified blank portion detected by said detector circuit with a value of the reflection factor at said specified blank portion recorded in advance at a predetermined position on said disk; and means for indicating a condition in accordance with a result of said comparing by said comparing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
An optical recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: a pickup for irradiating a disk to perform information recording/reproducing on said disk; means for driving said pickup to a predetermined position including a specified blank portion of said disk; a detector circuit for detecting a reflection factor at said specified blank portion of said disk; means for comparing a value of said reflection factor at said specified blank portion detected by said detector circuit with a value of the reflection factor at said specified blank portion recorded in advance at a predetermined position on said disk; and means for indicating a condition in accordance with a result of said comparing by said comparing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical recording/reproducing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a memory for storing said value of said reflection factor recorded in advance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The optical recording/reproducing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said indicating means produces an indication when said value of said reflection factor detected by said detector circuit is equal to or less than a predetermined value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The optical recording/reproducing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said indicating means produces an indication when said value of said reflection factor detected by said detector circuit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The optical recording/reproducing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said indicating means produces respective indications when said value of said reflection factor detected by said detector circuit is within predetermined ranges corresponding to respective conditions of said disk.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The optical recording/reproducing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the condition indicated by said indicating means is indicative of whether said disk is usable or not in terms of its service life.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical recording/reproducing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the condition indicated by said indicating means indicates that it is preferable to back-up record data on said disk onto another disk.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical recording/reproducing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the condition indicated by said indicating means indicates that data on said disk cannot be ensured.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical recording/reproducing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the condition indicated by said indicating means indicates that said disk cannot be used.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
JPS5746353A
Cited
JPS5960742A
Cited
JPS5998333A
Cited
US4611317A
Cited
JPS59215076A
Cited
JPS60160082A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-12-20 | 1992-06-20 | 1992-12-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-12-20 | 1996-06-20 | 1996-12-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-12-20 | 2000-06-20 | 2000-12-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |