Multiple channel scanning device using oversampling and image processing to increase throughput
First Claim
1. A scanning device for scanning a target surface having data written thereon, said data being arranged in adjacent data cells on said target surface, each of said cells having one of a set of possible configurations representing data, comprising:
- a read/write head with at least one reading laser source connected to emit light from an array of output apertures and receive light through an array of input apertures;
an image processor;
said read/write head and said target surface being supported to move relative to each other to scan said target surface;
said array of output apertures being arranged such that multiple ones of said output apertures scans substantially a same cell of said surface;
said read/write head including detectors to produce detection signals, each corresponding to a respective one of said multiple ones and connected to said image processor;
said image processor being configured to generate an estimate of a configuration of said same cell and to generate a signal stream representing said estimate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multiple channel scanning device has a scanning head with multiple columns of apertures that emit light which is projected to a small spot on the surface of a recorded medium. Light returned from the medium reenters the apertures and is conducted to detectors. In a preferred embodiment, the scanning head is rapidly oscillated (may be on the order of 100 kHz rate), in a direction parallel to the columns. The medium is moved in a direction perpendicular to the columns so that the same recorded regions pass beneath successive columns of apertures. The data from the detectors is image-processed to improve the quality of data reading using the successive readings of the same data regions. This allows errors to be corrected and throughput to be improved.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A scanning device for scanning a target surface having data written thereon, said data being arranged in adjacent data cells on said target surface, each of said cells having one of a set of possible configurations representing data, comprising:
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a read/write head with at least one reading laser source connected to emit light from an array of output apertures and receive light through an array of input apertures;
an image processor;
said read/write head and said target surface being supported to move relative to each other to scan said target surface;
said array of output apertures being arranged such that multiple ones of said output apertures scans substantially a same cell of said surface;
said read/write head including detectors to produce detection signals, each corresponding to a respective one of said multiple ones and connected to said image processor;
said image processor being configured to generate an estimate of a configuration of said same cell and to generate a signal stream representing said estimate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A scanning device for scanning a target surface having data written thereon, said data being arranged in columns of adjacent data cells on said target surface, each of said columns of data cells having one of a set of possible configurations representing data, comprising:
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a read/write head with an array of input apertures arranged in successive columns such that each of said columns receives light from a same one of said columns of data cells;
at least one detector connected to detect light received by said array of input apertures;
said detector generating a signal indicating an estimate of a one of said possible configurations by combining information derived from light received by all of said successive columns. - View Dependent Claims (11, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19)
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12. A scanning device for scanning a target surface having data written thereon, said data being arranged in columns of adjacent data cells on said target surface, each of said columns of data cells having one of a set of possible configurations representing data, comprising:
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a scanning head with an array of input apertures arranged in successive columns such that each of said columns receives light from a same one of said columns of data cells and each;
at least one detector connected to detect light received by said array of input apertures;
said detector generating a signal indicating an estimate of a one of said possible configurations by combining information derived from light received by all of said successive columns.
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16. A method of reading data from a recorded surface having successive columns of data cells, said successive columns comprising at least one row of said data cells, comprising the steps of:
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moving said recorded surface such that light from a first output aperture is focused onto a first of said successive columns;
receiving light returned from said recorded surface responsively to said first step of moving;
detecting light returned from said recorded surface and storing a first result thereof;
moving said recorded surface such that light from a second output aperture is focused onto said first of said successive columns;
receiving light returned from said recorded surface responsively to said second step of moving;
detecting light returned to said first input aperture and storing a second result thereof, calculating data represented by said first of said respective columns responsively to a computed combination of said first and second results.
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18. A method of reading data from a recorded surface having successive columns of data cells, said successive columns comprising at least one row of said data cells, comprising the steps of:
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moving said recorded surface such that light from a first output aperture is focused onto a first of said successive columns;
receiving light returned from said recorded surface responsively to said first step of moving;
detecting light returned from said recorded surface and storing a first result thereof;
moving said recorded surface such that light from a second output aperture is focused onto said first of said successive columns;
receiving light returned from said recorded surface responsively to said second step of moving;
detecting light returned to said first input aperture and storing a second result thereof, calculating data represented by said first of said respective columns responsively to a computed combination of said first and second results.
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20. A scanning device for scanning a medium with data written thereon, said data being arranged in columns of adjacent data cells on said target surface, each of said columns of data cells having one of a set of possible configurations representing data, comprising:
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a scanning head with an array of input apertures arranged in successive columns such that each of said columns receives light from a same one of said columns of data cells;
at least one detector connected to detect light received by said array of input apertures;
said detector generating a signal indicating an estimate of a one of said possible configurations by combining information derived from light received by all of said successive columns;
a frame connected to said scanning head;
said medium being attachable to said frame such that said medium is movable relative to said read/write head, whereby said media moves in a first direction relative to said read/write head;
an oscillating motor connected between said frame and said read/write head to oscillate said scanning head relative to said medium, whereby a spacing of said input apertures may exceed a spacing of said adjacent cells while permitting light returned from substantially all of said adjacent cells to be detected by said at least one detector. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification