Abstract: A light beam for recording, reproducing, and erasing information is divided by a half mirror into a transmitted light beam directed to a recording medium and a light beam for detecting a position of a reflected movable optical pickup. Since no additional light source is necessary for detecting the position of the optical pickup the apparatus is small in size, low in cost and reduces the number of adjustments required when the optical pickup is replaced.

Abstract: An optical information recording and/or reproducing apparatus is provided with a finely moving device. The movement of an optical device converging and radiating a light beam onto an optical information recording medium, is controlled to be able to finely move the position of a spot light radiated onto the recording medium. A coarsely moving device moves an optical head provided with the finely moving device and an optical system. A track crossing velocity monitoring device detects whether the track crossing velocity at which the spot light radiated onto the recording medium crosses the tracks of the recording medium is below a predetermined value. After a coarse access close to an objective track is made by the coarsely moving device, when the track crossing velocity is below the predetermined value, the clamping applied to the optical device at the time of the coarse access will be released.

Abstract: The optical recording and reproducing apparatus comprises a magnetic field applying section, a movable mechanism for moving the magnetic field applying section, a distance detecting section for detecting a distance between magnetic poles of the magnetic field applying section and the surface of a recording medium, and a distance control section for maintaining the above distance constant in response to an output of the distance detecting section. The distance between two magnetic pole ends of the magnetic field applying section can be minimized. Further, on the basis of the tracking control of either one of the recording and erasing light beams, it is possible to enable a high-precision tracking control to the other of the two light beams.

Abstract: An optical power stabilizing device for use in information recording and reproducing apparatus is disclosed. The device comprises a light source for generating light power in accordance with input signals, a photodetecting means coupled to the light source for detecting at least a part of the light power of the light source to generate a photodetected signal, a signal source for generating the input signals, an external control means connected to the signal source for selecting modes of the input signals, means for generating a control reference signal by processing the input signals, means for generating at least one control signal by processing the photodetected signal and the control reference signal, and means for driving the light source in accordance with the control signals.

Abstract: The light beam from a semiconductor laser that generates laser light for recording or reproducing is irradiated onto a disk through an objective lens and the light reflected from the disk is received by a four quadrant light detector with four light receiving areas. Based on the light received by the light receiving areas, first and second feedback signals are generated and fed to servo actuators to control the objective lens in tracking and focusing. These signals are supplied to the actuators for tracking and focusing through switches to apply the tracking servo and focusing servo functions.

Abstract: A light power controlling apparatus contains a semiconductor laser and a photosensor for receiving part of light emitted from the semiconductor laser to produce a corresponding electrical signal. The semiconductor laser is connected to first and second current circuits. The first current circuit averages a voltage signal based on the electrical signal of the photosensor by a first low-pass filter, thereby to have a detected voltage. The detected voltage is compared with a desired voltage by an error amplifier. The error amplifier produces a signal representing a difference between the detected voltage and the desired voltage. The difference signal is integrated by an integrator. According to the integrated signal, the first current circuit supplies a forward current to the semiconductor laser. The second current circuit is set at a peak power value in a modulating mode according to a voltage signal of a peak power setting member.

Abstract: A temperature control device for a semiconductor laser comprises a temperature sensitive resistor for detecting the temperature of a semiconductor laser and a Peltier element connected to the semiconductor laser and controlled, with regard to the direction of its heat transmission, in accordance with the resistance value of the temperature sensitive resistor. A single power source of a single polarity low voltage is used as a power source for the Peltier element. The current generated from the single polarity power source has its polarity changed by a bridging amplifier controlled by the resistance value of the temperature sensitive resistor and is supplied to the Peltier element.

Abstract: In a system for detecting defects on an optical surface, a disk to be inspected is mounted on a turntable, and is attracted on the surface of the turntable. On the disk is provided an optical head having an objective lens located at its focal point on the surface of the disk. A laser beam emitted from a laser unit is projected through the optical head onto the disk, is reflected on the disk, and is then directed through the optical head to a photo detector. The optical head is moved in the radial direction of the disk as the turntable is rotated, and the disk is helically scanned by the laser beam. Only a defect signal is extracted from an electrical signal generated from the photo detector in a defect signal generator. The defect signal is compared in a data processing unit, and is converted to defect information of different size.

Abstract: A disc drive apparatus for driving a disc selected from discs of various diameters with and without a central hole comprises: a turntable with a hole at the center of rotation thereof; a turntable support for rotatably supporting the turntable; a motor for driving the turntable; a centering member to be detachably inserted in the hole of the turntable and for mounting a disc with a central hole; a plurality of elastic disc support members which are coaxial with the center of rotation of the turntable, which extend from the surface of the turntable, and which form a plurality of annular shapes; centering index marks, disposed on the turntable, for centering a disc without a central hole; a vacuum pump; and suction channels, one end of which is open to the surface of the turntable and the other end of which is connected to the vacuum pump, for fixing on some of the disc support members the disc selected from discs of various diameters with and without a central hole and placed on some of said disc support membe

Abstract: A system for focusing an optical head onto a flat surface has a mechanism for moving the optical head in the direction of the optical axis of the head and a mechanism for moving an objective lens in the optical head in the direction of the optical axis of the lens. A laser beam projected from the objective lens of the optical head is reflected on the flat surface, is reflected on the beam splitter, and is introduced into a detector unit. The detector unit thus generates a focusing signal having a level responsive to the distance between the objective lens and the surface. The optical head is lowered by the mechanism for moving the optical head in accordance with the focusing signal when it passes a predetermined point, and is operated to locate the focal point of the objective lens on the surface. Thereafter, the mechanism for moving the optical head becomes inoperative, and the mechanism for moving the objective lens is operated.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting optically defects in object such as original glass disc for use in manufacturing video and audio discs by projecting a laser light flux onto the object includes an objective lens for focussing the incident laser light flux onto the object as a small light spot, the laser light flux passing through the objective lens at only its central portion. When the object has no defect in the light spot area, the laser light flux is regularly reflected by the object surface, but when the object includes a defect in the light spot area, the light flux is scattered by the defect. The directly reflected and scattered light fluxes are collected by the objective lens and are then separated from each other by means of a small mirror arranged in an optical axis of the directly reflected light flux. The directly reflected and scattered light fluxes thus separated are received by first and second light detectors.