초록 ▼

Methods and apparatus are provided for improving optical drive access times using a detector having multiple sensing elements to sense and count disk tracks. The detector may be oriented either radially or tangentially with respect to the disk radius, and either capable of sensing more than one disk

Methods and apparatus are provided for improving optical drive access times using a detector having multiple sensing elements to sense and count disk tracks. The detector may be oriented either radially or tangentially with respect to the disk radius, and either capable of sensing more than one disk location simultaneously or have a length greater than the maximum distance between detectable features of the disk.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for accessing data stored on a disk, wherein the data is stored as detectable features forming tracks on the disk, the disk being rotated, the apparatus comprising:a detector for providing a signal representative of data sensed within a track on the disk, the de

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for accessing data stored on a disk, wherein the data is stored as detectable features forming tracks on the disk, the disk being rotated, the apparatus comprising:a detector for providing a signal representative of data sensed within a track on the disk, the detector having a length and orientation;first means for moving the detector in a substantially radial direction relative to the disk; andcircuitry coupled to the first means and the detector for directing the first means to move the detector between a first position over a first track and a second position over a second track, the circuitry processing the signal from the detector to determine when the detector has reached the second position by counting the tracks over which the detector passes while moving from the first position to the second position, wherein the effective length of the detector is greater than a maximum distance separating adjacent ones of the detectable features.