US5566077A — Media and optical drive operating temperature con…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 82 words

In an optical disk drive having a plurality of internal heat-generating devices, a system for dynamically regulating an operating temperature of said drive, comprising: sensor means for detecting said operating temperature of said drive and producing a sensor output signal representative of said operating temperature and, control means responsive to said sensor output signal for inhibiting operation of at least a selected one but less than all of said internal heat-generating devices when said sensor output signal exceeds a first threshold level.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 82 words

In an optical disk drive having a plurality of internal heat-generating devices, a system for dynamically regulating an operating temperature of said drive, comprising: sensor means for detecting said operating temperature of said drive and producing a sensor output signal representative of said operating temperature and, control means responsive to said sensor output signal for inhibiting operation of at least a selected one but less than all of said internal heat-generating devices when said sensor output signal exceeds a first threshold level.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 44 words

The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control means also functions to inhibit operation of at least an additional one of said internal heat-generating devices when said sensor output signal exceeds a second threshold level greater than said first threshold level.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 64 words

The system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said sensor means includes: a temperature sensor for detecting said operating temperature of said drive and generating an analog output signal representative of said operating temperature and a digital-to-analog converter for converting said analog output signal to a digital temperature value representative of said operating temperature, said digital temperature value comprising said sensor output signal.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 100 words

The system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said control means includes: a microprocessor programmed to compare said digital temperature value to first and second digital threshold values representative of said first and second threshold levels, respectively, and to inhibit operation of said at least a selected one of said internal heat-generating devices in response to said digital temperature value being greater than said first digital threshold value, and to inhibit operation of said at least an additional one of said internal heat-generating devices in response to said digital temperature value being greater than said second digital threshold value.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 33 words

The system as set forth in claim 4 wherein: said optical disk drive is interfaced with a host computer and said first and second digital threshold values are adjustable by said host computer.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 167 words

The system as set forth in claim 2 wherein: said optical disk drive is interfaced with a host computer and said control means includes a microprocessor programmed to execute write, erase, read, and verify commands issued by said host computer and to return command-completion signals to said host computer upon completion of execution of said commands issued by said host computer; wherein said microprocessor is responsive to said sensor output signal exceeding said first threshold level to delay returning said command-completion signal to said host computer upon completion of execution of a write or erase command, by a first prescribed time period, to thereby allow said disk drive to cool during said first prescribed time period; and wherein said microprocessor is responsive to said second control signal to delay returning said command-completion signal to said host computer upon completion of execution of a read or verify command, by a second prescribed time period, to thereby allow said disk drive to cool during said second prescribed time period.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 36 words

The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least a selected one of said internal heat-generating devices includes a bias coil for producing a magnetic field for effecting a write or erase operation.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 52 words

The system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said at least a selected one of said internal heat-generating devices further includes coarse and fine actuator coils of a positioning and focusing subsystem for focusing and controllably positioning a beam of radiation relative to an information-bearing surface of an optical storage medium.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said at least an additional one of said internal heat-generating devices includes a laser.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 51 words

The system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said at least an additional one of said internal heat-generating devices includes coarse and fine actuator coils of a positioning and focusing subsystem for focusing and controllably positioning a beam of radiation relative to an information-bearing surface of an optical storage medium.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said at least an additional one of said internal heat-generating devices includes a laser.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 52 words

The system as set forth in claim 11 wherein said at least an additional one of said internal heat-generating devices further includes coarse and fine actuator coils of a positioning and focusing subsystem for focusing and controllably positioning a beam of radiation relative to an information-bearing surface of an optical storage medium.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said optical disk drive comprises a magneto-optic optical disk drive.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 15 words

The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first threshold level is adjustable.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 44 words

The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sensor means includes a first temperature sensor for detecting an ambient air temperature of said drive and a second temperature sensor for detecting a surface temperature of an optical disk loaded in said drive.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 99 words

In a computer peripheral device, a system for dynamically regulating an operating temperature of said device comprising: sensor means for detecting said operating temperature of said device and producing a sensor output signal representative of said operating temperature and mode changing means for changing a mode of operation of said device from a normal mode of operation to a first heat dissipation mode of operation in which write and erase operations of said device are inhibited, but read and verify operations of said device are not inhibited, in response to said sensor output signal exceeding a first threshold level.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 99 words

In a computer peripheral device, a system for dynamically regulating an operating temperature of said device comprising: sensor means for detecting said operating temperature of said device and producing a sensor output signal representative of said operating temperature and mode changing means for changing a mode of operation of said device from a normal mode of operation to a first heat dissipation mode of operation in which write and erase operations of said device are inhibited, but read and verify operations of said device are not inhibited, in response to said sensor output signal exceeding a first threshold level.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 67 words

The system as set forth in claim 16 wherein said mode changing means is responsive to said sensor output signal exceeding a second threshold level greater than said first threshold level, for changing the mode of operation of said device from said first heat dissipation mode of operation to a second heat dissipation mode of operation in which said write, erase, read and verify operations are inhibited.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 64 words

The system as set forth in claim 17 wherein said sensor means includes: a temperature sensor for detecting said operating temperature of said drive and generating an analog output signal representative of said operating temperature and a digital-to-analog converter for converting said analog output signal to a digital temperature value representative of said operating temperature, said digital temperature value comprising said sensor output signal.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 91 words

The system as set forth in claim 18 wherein said mode changing means includes: a microprocessor programmed to compare said digital temperature value to first and second digital threshold values representative of said first and second threshold levels, respectively, and to inhibit said write and erase operations of said drive in response to said digital temperature value being greater than said first digital threshold value, and to inhibit said read and verify operations of said drive in response to said digital temperature value being greater than said second digital threshold value.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 33 words

The system as set forth in claim 19 wherein: said optical disk drive is interfaced with a host computer and said first and second digital threshold values are adjustable, by said host computer.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 17 words

The system as set forth in claim 20 wherein said first and second threshold levels are adjustable.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 168 words

The system as set forth in claim 17 wherein: said optical disk drive is interfaced with a host computer and said mode changing means includes a microprocessor programmed to execute write, erase, read, and verify commands issued by said host computer and to return command-completion signals to said host computer upon completion of execution of said commands issued by said host computer; wherein said microprocessor is responsive to said sensor output signal exceeding said first threshold level to delay returning said command-completion signal to said host computer upon completion of execution of a write or erase command, by a first prescribed time period, to thereby allow said disk drive to cool during said first prescribed time period and wherein said microprocessor is responsive to said second control signal to delay returning said command-completion signal to said host computer upon completion of execution of a read or verify command, by a second prescribed time period, to thereby allow said disk drive to cool during said second prescribed time period.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 44 words

The system as set forth in claim 16 wherein said sensor means includes a first temperature sensor for detecting an ambient air temperature of said drive, and a second temperature sensor for detecting a surface temperature of an optical disk loaded in said drive.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 83 words

In an optical disk drive having a plurality of internal heat-generating devices, a system for dynamically regulating an operating temperature of said drive, comprising: a sensor for detecting said operating temperature of said drive and producing a sensor output signal representative of said operating temperature and a control system responsive to said sensor output signal for inhibiting operation of at least a selected one but less than all of said internal heat-generating devices when said sensor output signal exceeds a first threshold level.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 83 words

In an optical disk drive having a plurality of internal heat-generating devices, a system for dynamically regulating an operating temperature of said drive, comprising: a sensor for detecting said operating temperature of said drive and producing a sensor output signal representative of said operating temperature and a control system responsive to said sensor output signal for inhibiting operation of at least a selected one but less than all of said internal heat-generating devices when said sensor output signal exceeds a first threshold level.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 50 words

The system as set forth in claim 24 wherein said control system is further responsive to said sensor output signal for inhibiting operation of at least an additional one of said internal heat-generating devices when said sensor output signal exceeds a second threshold level greater than said first threshold level.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 100 words

In a computer peripheral device, a system for dynamically regulating an operating temperature of said device comprising: a sensor for detecting said operating temperature of said device and producing a sensor output signal representative of said operating temperature and a mode changing system for changing a mode of operation of said device from a normal mode of operation to a first heat dissipation mode of operation in which write and erase operations of said device are inhibited, but read and verify operations of said device are not inhibited, in response to said sensor output signal exceeding a first threshold level.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 100 words

In a computer peripheral device, a system for dynamically regulating an operating temperature of said device comprising: a sensor for detecting said operating temperature of said device and producing a sensor output signal representative of said operating temperature and a mode changing system for changing a mode of operation of said device from a normal mode of operation to a first heat dissipation mode of operation in which write and erase operations of said device are inhibited, but read and verify operations of said device are not inhibited, in response to said sensor output signal exceeding a first threshold level.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 67 words

The system as set forth in claim 26 wherein said mode changing system is responsive to said sensor output signal exceeding a second threshold level greater than said first threshold level for changing the mode of operation of said device from said first heat dissipation mode of operation to a second heat dissipation mode of operation in which said write, erase, read and verify operations are inhibited.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 93 words

In a computer peripheral device, a method for dynamically regulating an operating temperature of said device comprising the steps of: detecting said operating temperature of said device and producing a temperature-indication signal representative of said operating temperature and changing a mode of operation of said device from a normal mode of operation to a first heat dissipation mode of operation in which write and erase operations of said device are inhibited, but read and verify operations of said device are not inhibited, in response to said temperature-indication signal exceeding a first threshold level.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 93 words

In a computer peripheral device, a method for dynamically regulating an operating temperature of said device comprising the steps of: detecting said operating temperature of said device and producing a temperature-indication signal representative of said operating temperature and changing a mode of operation of said device from a normal mode of operation to a first heat dissipation mode of operation in which write and erase operations of said device are inhibited, but read and verify operations of said device are not inhibited, in response to said temperature-indication signal exceeding a first threshold level.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 65 words

The method as set forth in claim 28 further comprising the step of changing the mode of operation of said device from said first heat dissipation mode of operation to a second heat dissipation mode of operation in which said write, erase, read and verify operations are inhibited, in response to said temperature-indication signal exceeding a second threshold level greater than said first threshold level.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 71 words

In an optical disk drive having a plurality of internal heat-generating devices, a method for dynamically regulating an operating temperature of said drive, comprising the steps of: detecting said operating temperature of said drive and producing a temperature-indication signal representative of said operating temperature; and, inhibiting operation of at least a selected one but less than all of said internal heat-generating devices when said temperature-indication signal exceeds a first threshold level.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 71 words

In an optical disk drive having a plurality of internal heat-generating devices, a method for dynamically regulating an operating temperature of said drive, comprising the steps of: detecting said operating temperature of said drive and producing a temperature-indication signal representative of said operating temperature; and, inhibiting operation of at least a selected one but less than all of said internal heat-generating devices when said temperature-indication signal exceeds a first threshold level.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 41 words

The method as set forth in claim 30 further comprising the step of inhibiting operation of at least an additional one of said internal heat-generating devices when said temperature-indication signal exceeds a second threshold level greater than said first threshold level.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-10-15	2000-04-15	2000-10-15	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-10-15	2004-04-15	2004-10-15	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-10-15	2008-04-15	2008-10-15	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Media and optical drive operating temperature control system and method

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