Disc drive system and methods for use with bio-discs

Abstract

An optical disc drive for reading encoded information, such as on a CD, CD-R, or DVD, is modified to read biological or chemical investigational features from a disc. The modifications can include software changes or the addition of hardware desirably without the need to modify the disc drive electronics.

1 . In an optical disc drive system having a light source, a detector for detecting reflected light and providing a signal, a signal processing system coupled to the detector for receiving the signal from the detector and providing an output that can be used to provide a representation of the encoded data, a method comprising modifying an operational optical disc drive with functionality to enable the detection of investigational features on a disc without altering the hardware of the operational disc drive and without altering the ability of the disc drive to read data encoded on the disc.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the signal processing system in the optical disc drive has a digital signal processor (DSP) with an analog to digital converter (ADC) for receiving an analog signal detected by the detector and providing a digital signal, a demodulator and decoder block for receiving the digital signal and providing an decoded and demodulated signal, and an error detection and correction block for detecting and correcting errors in the decoded and demodulated signal, and providing a signal to be output from the DSP at an output lead, the modifying including programming the DSP so that the digital signal from the ADC is provided to the output lead without being demodulated and decoded.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the detector includes a plurality of detector elements, the analog signal being provided to the DSP is a signal summed from at least some of the detector elements.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein analog data signals from the detector elements are combined to produce a tracking error signal and a focusing error signal.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the analog signal includes signals indicative of investigational features on the optical disc.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , comprising characterizing the investigational features based on the digital signals.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein programming includes causing the ADC digital signal to bypass the demodulation and decode block.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the programming includes altering parameters to the demodulation/decode block such that the ADC digital is unprocessed by the demodulation/decode block.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the optical disc being read has an investigational feature at a location where a beam of light not blocked by the investigational feature is transmitted through the disc, the transmitted light thereby including information about the investigational feature, the modifying including adding a second detector for receiving the transmitted light and providing a second detector signal representative of the investigational feature.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second detector includes a plurality of detection elements.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising adding circuitry for processing the second detector signal.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising providing an analog to digital converter (ADC) to digitize the second detector signal.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the complete and operational disc drive has a housing, the second detector being located within the housing and the ADC is outside the housing.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the complete and operational disc drive had a housing, the second detector being located within the housing, the modifying further includes providing processing circuitry for processing the second detector signal within the housing.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the modifying includes adding a second light source and a second detector for detecting information from the disc separate from the encoded information.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the information form the disc separate from the encoded information includes a bar code.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the information from the disc separate from the encoded information includes a mark on the disc that has information indicative of the location of an investigational feature.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the modifying includes altering firmware to read a signal indicative of a characteristic of an investigational feature.  
     
     
         19 . An optical disc drive system for reading a disc having encoded operational data, comprising: 
 a light source;    a detector for detecting reflected light and providing a signal;    a signal processing system coupled to the detector for receiving the signal from the detector and providing an output that can be used to provide a representation of the encoded data, the signal processing system including a digital signal processor (DSP) adapted to process a signal of an investigational feature.    
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the DSP includes: 
 an analog to digital converter (ADC) for receiving an analog signal detected by the detector and providing a digital signal;    a demodulator and decoder block for receiving the digital signal and providing a decoded and demodulated signal; and    an error detection and correction block for detecting and correcting errors in the decoded and demodulated signal, and providing a signal to be output from the DSP at an output lead;    the DSP being programmed so that the digital signal from the ADC is provided to the output lead without being demodulated and decoded.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the detector includes a plurality of detector elements, the analog signal provided to the DSP being a signal summed from at least some of the detector elements.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein analog data signals from the detector elements are combined to produce a tracking error signal and a focusing error signal.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the analog signal includes signals indicative of investigational features on the optical disc.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , comprising characterizing the investigational features based on the digital signals.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein programming causes the ADC digital signal to bypass the demodulation and decode block.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the programming controls parameters to the demodulation/decode block such that the ADC digital is unprocessed by the demodulation/decode block.  
     
     
         27 . A method for use by an optical disc drive for general use and not as a dedicated disc analyzer including providing to a user the ability to controllably disable an automatic gain control function.  
     
     
         28 . A method for use by an optical disc drive for general use and not as a dedicated disc analyzer including providing to a user the ability to monitor a focusing offset signal.  
     
     
         29 . (canceled)  
     
     
         30 . (canceled)  
     
     
         31 . (canceled)  
     
     
         32 . (canceled)  
     
     
         33 . (canceled)  
     
     
         34 . (canceled)