Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a storage and transfer apparatus for mass transfer of a plurality of data discs to trays of a plurality stacked disc drives. The storage and transfer apparatus may store a plurality of discs with the disc hold pins retracted and the telescopic sections collapsed over each other. In such a configuration, the stored discs may lie in contact with each other. The storage and transfer apparatus may transfer the plurality of discs to the trays of the plurality of stacked disc drives with the discs holding pins extended and the telescopic sections extended relative to each other.

Abstract: A device and a method for automatically turning over a disc relate to a guide rod provided with a movable member. The movable member is assembled to a rotating member via a pivot member in such a manner that the movable member can axially move along and radially rotate around the guide rod. The pivot member is disposed between the movable member and the rotating member and powered to rotate. The rotating member is provided with a disc-carrying device in a direction of its rotation around the pivot member for taking the disc. The pivot member drives the disc to rotate via the rotating member, so as to turn over the disc, so that the rotating member makes the disc slide down into the tray in an inclined manner.

Abstract: On a host computer (300), writing software for controlling recording and image forming operations of an optical disc recording apparatus (10) is installed. When the writing software is activated, the host computer (300) requests the user to input various settings relating to record information and image information before giving instructions for starting recording and those for starting image formation to the optical disc recording apparatus (10), and, in accordance with various settings which are input in response to the request, determines the recording and image forming operations of the optical disc recording apparatus (10).

Abstract: An optical disk drive having an optical disk that permits transmission of a laser beam, an optical disk holding mechanism configured to rotatably support the optical disk, a first laser beam irradiation mechanism disposed on one side of the optical disk, causing the first laser beam to be vertically incident on one surface of the optical disk, and a first evanescent optical system disposed on the other side of the optical disk. The first evanescent optical system is configured to receive the first laser beam which emanates from the laser beam irradiation mechanism and passes through the optical disk, and radiate the first evanescent wave to the other surface of the optical disk having at least one recording surface.

Abstract: An optical disk drive includes two object optical systems, two carriages which respectively carry the object optical system and are movable along surfaces of an optical disk. Separated from the carriages, a separate optical unit (including a laser source module) is provided. A beam path selection system is provided for selectively introducing the beam from the laser source module to one of the object optical systems.

Abstract: An optical pick-up apparatus according to the invention optically performs at least one of selective recording of information onto a plurality of recording layers of a plurality of optical recording mediums arranged in layers, and selective reproduction of information from the plurality of recording layers. Switching in optical circuits which are each adapted to guide a light beam to a desired recording layer is performed using a movable mirror, a galvano mirror or a biaxial movable mirror, to thereby perform selective recording of information onto the plurality of recording layers of optical disks or selective reproduction of information from the plurality of recording layers.

Abstract: An off-axis optical pickup mechanism for dual-sided optical storage discs comprises an optical pickup unit (OPU) connected to an optical pipe. A baffle is provided which surrounds the OPU and a cover is provided which is placed on top of the baffle. To be able to controllably rotate the optical pipe, a first gear is attached to the pipe. The first gear is meshed with the second gear which is connected to the motor. The optical pipe comprises a top hollow tube having a top channel and a bottom tube having a bottom channel, and a main body having a main channel. Each channel terminates to a lens element. The optical pickup mechanism should be positioned in an optical storage drive such that an optical storage disc can be placed in between the two lens element of the optical pipe.

Abstract: A both-sided optical disc player for recording/reproducing information on a both-sided disc includes a disc deck having a turntable being shaft-supported by a spindle motor to be rotated for driving the disc and an optical pickup slidably connected on the upper portion of the disc deck. A disc tray guides the disc to the turntable for loading the disc onto the disc deck. A clamp apparatus pressively supports the both-sided disc on the turntable. The both-sided disc seated on the turntable is transferred up and down centering about the optical pickup by a transfer apparatus to reproduce respective sides of the both-sided disc. Thus, trembling of the optical pickup is significantly reduced to realize stable recording/playback operations.

Abstract: An optical disk cartridge and an optical disk apparatus wherein, whether or not an optical disk has a different thickness, the distances of a pair of optical heads to a pair of recording faces of the optical disk can be set readily with a high degree of accuracy. The optical disk cartridge comprises a cartridge including a pair of halves between which an optical disk is accommodated for rotation, and a sample plate having a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the optical disk and disposed in parallel to the optical disk at a position in the cartridge in which the sample plate does not interfere with the optical disk. A pair of restricting elements are provided in the optical disk apparatus and contacts, when the optical disk cartridge is loaded, with the opposite surfaces of the sample plate to mechanically restrict the distances of the optical heads from the recording faces of the optical disk.

Abstract: A drive unit having an input/output port for loading and/or unloading a cartridge therethrough and for reading and/or writing information on a disc; a stocker arranged to be confronted with the input/output port of the drive port and having a plurality of storage locations removably storing the cartridges therein, the storage locations being arranged to store the cartridges along a length thereof so that the stored cartridges are aligned substantially in parallel to each other; a vertical carrier for transporting the drive unit in a vertical direction parallel to the length of the storage locations of the stocker so that the input/output port of the drive unit can be confronted with one of the plurality of storage locations of the stocker; and a horizontal carrier for transporting the cartridge in a horizontal direction so as to transport the cartridge between the stocker and the drive unit.

Abstract: A pickup turnove apparatus of a disk player of a new turn-type in which a U-shape shuttle device acting as a pickup turnover means is provided at the rear of a pickup feeding plate of the disk player and turned over from a lower position to an upper position or vice versa with a pickup mounted thereon, thereby to increase the reliability of a turnover operation, to restrict noise occurrence during the turnover operation, and to reduce time required for the turnover operation.

Abstract: A surface selection mechanism is disclosed for an optical disk storage system. The mechanism comprises a linearly movable slider having a first and second mirror mounted side by side thereon. The first and second mirrors have reflective mirrors positioned at right angles with respect to each other. The mechanism includes apparatus for positioning the slider so that either the first or second mirror is positioned at the optical axis of a light beam to direct the light beam at either a first or a second recording surface of a double sided disc.

Abstract: An optical pickup can be inverted accurately and smoothly regardless of the skew operation of the optical pickup. The present invention is directed to a disc player in which a single optical pickup (37) is inverted in an opposing relation to both surfaces of a disc (D) at the same time when it is elevated so that both surfaces of the disc (D) can be reproduced. As an inverting mechanism (79) of the optical pickup (37), an inverting gear (80) is attached to a supporting shaft (53) on which the optical pickup (37) is supported. On the other hand, an inverting rack (81) which is meshed with the inverting gear (80) so as to invert the optical pickup (37) is attached through a supporting frame (82) to a lower chassis (4) which is skewed.

Abstract: An optical storage system comprises a disk assembly, an optical assembly and a carriage assembly arranged to provide a high-performance, multiple-disk storage device. The disk assembly includes a plurality of disks axially spaced on a rotatably mounted spindle and configured to record data on pairs of opposing facing recording surfaces. The optical assembly includes a static optics package for generating a collimated optical beam used to store and retrieve data from the disks, and a beam distribution system for directing the optical beam to a selected recording disk surface. The carriage assembly includes a plurality of carriage arms supporting head assemblies that are arranged for insertion between the pairs of opposing recording disk surfaces. The head assemblies are further arranged in facing relation to the recording disk surfaces to receive the optical beam from the beam distribution system and direct the beam onto the disk surface.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling the optical pickup position in an optical disc reproducing apparatus is constructed such that when the power is applied, a user recognizes the position of the pickup which is used to pickup information from a disc with information recorded on both sides, by recognizing whether the pickup is facing the upward side or downward side of the disc. The circuit further controls the pickup to be positioned on the innermost circumference of the reproducing side in the reproducing stop or ending operation. Therefore, the time needed to recognize which the first reproducing side for successive reproducing is decreased, while reducing power consumption needed to move the pickup in the reproducing stop operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording/reproducing of a double-sided optic disk includes a main pickup which supplies a light beam and detects a reflected light beam for recording/reproducing from one side of an optic disk. After completing the recording/reproducing of one side, the main pickup moves outside a periphery of the optic disk for recording/reproducing another side. The apparatus includes a mirror member which reflects the light beam supplied from the main pickup positioned outside the periphery to the other side of the optic disk, and an auxiliary pickup which focuses and scans the light beam on the other side via the mirror member. The light beam reflected from the other side of the optic disk is detected by the main pickup.

Abstract: A continuous both-side playback type video disc apparatus having an external command signal generator for generating an external command signal to an external recorder in response to a playback start signal or a lead-in or lead-out track detection signal obtained from a signal reading head, and also an external command signal output terminal for supplying the external command signal therefrom. Synchronized operation control is executed in such a manner that, upon completion of playing back one side of a disc, the recording operation of the external recorder is temporarily brought to a halt by a pause signal at the instant of detection of the lead-out track by the signal reading head, and after proceeding to playback of the other side of the disc, the recording operation is resumed at the instant of detection of the lead-in track on the other side of the disc by the signal reading head.

Abstract: The apparatus includes optical recording media each of which includes a single plate substrate with recording layers and spiral grooves formed on both sides of the substrate and which are available for recording and reproduction or for recording, erasing and reproduction via irradiation with laser beams. Both surfaces of the recording media are available for simultaneous access, and a plurality of thin floating-type optical heads are provided to irradiate laser beams onto the recording media. The optical heads are respectively provided at each side of the recording media and float, responsive to rotation of the recording media, above the respective surfaces of the recording media at a distance of at most hundreds of microns. The combination of these optical recording media and optical heads makes it possible to stack plural pairs thereof within an ultra-thin space, thus greatly improving the on-line capacity of the optical recording apparatus.

Abstract: An optical disk device of the type having two optical heads for accessing both sides of an optical disk at the same time. The device has a loading mechanism which moves two subbases each carrying one of the two heads therewith in opposite directions, i.e., toward or away from an optical disk. The weight of one subbase and members mounted thereon and the weight of the other subbase and members mounted thereon act in opposite directions with respect to the drive force of the loading mechanism and thereby cancel each other.

Abstract: A separation type optical head according to the present invention includes at least a light source portion for emitting collimated beams, a focusing device (a focusing lens) for focusing the collimated beams onto an information recording surface of an optical disc medium, a focal point control mechanism for the position of the spot on the information recording surface, and a photo-detection portion for receiving beams reflected by the information recording surface. The structure is divided into a fixed portion including the light source portion and the photo-detection portion and a movable portion including the focusing device (focusing lens) and the focal point control mechanism. At least the movable portion of the separation type optical head is movably accommodated n a frame (sealing case) for the optical head so as to prevent irregular vibrations of the movable portion due to high speed air flows or turbulence.

Abstract: A double-sided playing disc player is disclosed in which recorded signals are reproduced from a disc, on both faces of which signals are recorded, by a pickup disposed on the side of a turntable (4) or another pickup disposed on the side opposite to the turntable. The disc player comprises a first centering hub (6) mounted on the turntable, a clamping mechanism (11) for clamping the disc placed on the turntable, and a second centering hub (14) mounted on the clamper mechanism.

Abstract: A stationary type optical disc apparatus which includes a housing, a plurality of disc media contained in the housing and arranged in parallel to each other, a plurality of head units detachably inserted into the housing along rails formed in parallel to the disc surfaces, and a head movably mounted on the head unit so that the head is able to access a predetermined position on the disc media.

Abstract: A disk reproducing device that has two guide rails disposed at both sides of a disk and that reads data recorded on both sides of the disk using a single pickup device (21) by moving the pickup device along the guide rails. Each guide rail is composed of two linear guide shafts connected by an arcuated guide section (15). The arcuated guide section has a diameter smaller than that of the linear guide shafts, joints connecting the guide shafts and the guide section have tapering shapes, and a plurality of turning bearings are disposed on the pickup device. The pickup device can therefore move smoothly. In addition, all guide shafts can be swung substantially equally by swinging only one linear guide shaft thereby permitting a tilt adjustment to be executed by a single motor. The apparatus further has an adjusting member composed of a flat spring, a screw and other parts, to adjust a position of the pickup device relative to the disk.

Abstract: A double-sided playing disc player is disclosed in which recorded signals are reproduced from a disc, on both faces of which signals are recorded, by a pickup disposed on the side of a turntable (4) or another pickup disposed on the side opposite to the turntable. The disc player comprises a first centering hub (6) mounted on the turntable, a clamping mechanism (11) for clamping the disc placed on the turntable, and a second centering hub (14) mounted on the clamper mechanism.

Abstract: A disk drive according to a first embodiment includes a pickup movable along a radial direction of the disk and a reversing mechanism for moving the pickup from one side of the disk to the other side by rotating the pickup about an axis corresponding to the radial direction of the disk. In a second embodiment, there can be only one pickup which can reverse sides of the disk or a pickup on each side of the disk. The pickup(s) are moved along guide rails on either side of the disk and the guide rails are supported by rotatable base members. A linking arm links the two base members together so that rotation of one will cause rotation of the other. In a third embodiment, a pickup and a rack are supported on a slider for moving the pickup along the surface of a disk. The rack has three toothed surfaces including first, second, and third surfaces for engaging first, second and third feed screws, respectively.

Abstract: A double-side playing optical disk player which plays both sides of a disk placed on a turntable by driving and guiding a carriage carrying an optical pickup with a guide driving mechanism along both surfaces of the disk. The guide driving mechanism is composed of first and second guide mechanisms disposed on respective sides of the disk-carrying surface of the turntable, and a transfer mechanism for transferring the carriage between prescribed engaging/disengaging positions on the front and rear sides of the disk.

Abstract: A double-sided reproducing disk player wherein reduction in size and simplification in structure of a carriage can be attained and reduction in number of parts and simplification in construction of the entire arrangement can be attained to attain reduction in overall size and also in production cost. The player comprises upper and lower face guide mechanisms for guiding a carriage, on which an optical pickup is carried, along upper and lower surfaces of a disk, respectively. The upper and lower face guide mechanisms are carried on a carrying device which is supported for tilting motion on a stationary frame of the player, and the tilt angle of the carrying device with respect to the stationary frame is adjusted by a tilt angle adjusting device. The tilt angle adjusting device includes an eccentric member on the stationary frame and a spring for biasing the carrying device into cooperation with the eccentric member.

Abstract: A double-sided playing disc player is disclosed in which recorded signals are reproduced from a disc, on both faces of which signals are recorded, by a pickup disposed on the side of a turntable or another pickup disposed on the side opposite to the turntable. The disc player comprises a first centering hub mounted on the turntable, a clamping mechanism for clamping the disc placed on the turntable, and a second centering hub mounted on the clamper mechanism.

Abstract: An optical storage disk reading apparatus (10) allows the simultaneous reading of both sides of an optical storage disk (44). An upper base plate (12) and a lower base plate (14) pivot about hinges (22-28) through the action of lead screws (30-32). The lead screws (30-32) are turned by separate stepper motors (38-39) which drive follower nuts (34-36) therealong. The follower nuts (34-36) are interconnected to the baseplates (12-14) by yokes (40-42). As the lead screws (30-32) drive the follower nuts (34-36), the yokes (40-42) pivotally move the base plates (12-14) about the hinges (22-28). A cartridge (46) containing the storage disk (44) is loaded into the apparatus (10) along receiving channels (48-50). The channels (48-50) hold the cartridge (46) from movement while the disk (44) is free to move therein with the lower base plate (14) through an interconnecting drive spindle (20).

Abstract: To accurately move a pickup 31 along a radial line of an optical disc in an optical disc apparatus for recording signals on both sides of the disc or reproducing the signals from the both sides, the pickup 31 is mounted on a support base 30 coupled to transport means and movable by being guided by a U-shaped guide assembly 5 which is fixedly and accurately positioned on a chassis carrying a disc drive motor. The guide assembly 5 comprises a pair of straight travel guide portions disposed in parallel to each other on opposite sides of the plane of rotation of the disc, and a circular-arc guide portion interconnecting the two guide portions. When reproducing the recorded signals, the pickup 31 accurately reciprocatingly moves on the disc radial line along the straight travel guide portions, and when the reproduction position is changed from one side of the disc to the other side, the pickup quickly moves upward or downward along the circular-arc guide portion.

Abstract: A front loading type disk player which can play both sides of a single disk without ejecting the disk from and reinserting it into the disk player after playing one side. In addition, the disk player can play one or both sides of multiple disks without ejecting or reinserting disks. The disk player includes a movable carrier on which at least two trays are movably mounted. The carrier can be moved in a first direction so as to project from or retract into a housing of the disk player, and the trays can be moved in the first direction with respect to the carrier and a second, vertical direction e.g. perpendicular to the first direction. The trays are moved by moving a chassis, which supports them, with respect to the carrier. The trays are independently movable in the first direction and the chassis 11 is movable in the vertical direction in a stepwise fashion so that the disks stored on the trays can be properly individually placed on the turntable and removed therefrom.

Abstract: An optical assembly of an optical recording/reproducing apparatus for focusing an optical beam produced by a light source on a recording medium and for directing the optical beam reflected back from the recording medium to detectors comprises a first optical system including a first objective lens for focusing an optical beam on a first recording surface at a first side of a recording medium, a second optical system including a second objective lens for focusing the optical beam on a second recording surface at a second side of the recording medium, and an optical path switching means switched between a first and second states for selectively establishing an optical path connecting an optical processing unit including the light source and detectors to either one of the first and second optical subsystems.

Abstract: A magneto-optical recording system comprises a first optical system carried by a first focusing actuator disposed at a first side of a magneto-optical recording medium and second optical system carried by a second focusing actuator disposed at a second side of the magneto-optical recording medium. When recording an information signal on the first side of the magneto-optical recording medium by means of an optical beam focused by the first optical system, the second focusing actuator is supplied with a biasing current and produces a magnetic field for recording. When recording an information signal on the second side of the magneto-optical recording medium, the first focusing actuator is supplied with a biasing current and produces a second magnetic field for recording.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing signals from both sides of a disc which comprises a detector for detecting that the signal reproduction side of the disc opposed to the pickup is being changed over from one side to the other side, and a device for notifying the user that the reproduction side is being changed over according to an output signal from the detector. The notifying device enables the user to properly recognize the state of the pickup during the travel thereof between the both sides of the disc.

Abstract: A signal reproducing system for use in an optical disc player comprises a photodetector including at least first and second photodetecting elements which are so disposed that a beam spot is formed on the first and second photodetecting elements by a light beam caused to impinge upon and reflected at an optical record disc and are aligned along a direction of movement of a diffraction pattern appearing in the beam spot in accordance with a record track on the optical record disc, a phase shifter for varying at least a phase of one of first and second output signals obtained respectively based on detection outputs of the first and second photodetecting elements, a switch for causing the first and second output signals selectively to pass through the phase shifter in response to a direction of movement of the record track in relation to the light beam incident upon the optical record disc, and a mixer operative to add one of the first and second output signals derived from the phase shifter to the other of the f

Abstract: An image information processing apparatus comprises a rotational shaft for supporting five optical disks, subjected to read or write access, at predetermined intervals along its central axis, and two optical units, each having an optical head rotatable through 180 degrees to allow scanning of positions separated by 180 degrees. The optical heads are moved along the central axis of the rotatable shaft and in a radial direction of the optical disk between a scanning position where the optical disk can be scanned, and into a non-scanning position where the optical disk cannot be scanned. Thus the optical heads are moved to face different positions on the same optical disk or different optical disks.

Abstract: A front loading disc player plays back both sides of a loaded disc without ejecting and reloading the disc. The front loading disc player has a playback unit disposed in a player housing and having a turntable and an optical pickup, and a disc transfer mechanism for carrying a disc to be played back and transferring the disc into a playback position. The playback unit is movable by a playback means moving mechanism between a first position corresponding to one side of the disc having reached the playback position and a second position corresponding to the other side of the disc.

Abstract: To accurately move a pickup 31 along a radial line of an optical disc in an optical disc apparatus for recording signals on both sides of the disc or reproducing the signals from the both sides, the pickup 31 is mounted on a support base 30 coupled to transport means and movable by being guided by a U-shaped guide assembly 5 which is fixedly and accurately positioned on a chassis carrying a disc drive motor. The guide assembly 5 comprises a pair of straight travel guide portions disposed in parallel to each other on opposite sides of the plane of rotation of the disc, and a circular-arc guide portion interconnecting the two guide portions. When reproducing the recorded signals, the pickup 31 accurately reciprocatingly moves on the disc radial line along the straight travel guide portions, and when the reproduction position is changed from one side of the disc to the other side, the pickup quickly moves upward or downward along the circular-arc guide portion.

Abstract: A disk player for double-side disks, such as video disks, having a reduced overall size and simplified structure. The pickup, spindle, spindle motor, and disk clamper of the player are mounted on a rotary frame. To change from playing one side of the disk to the other, the disk is conveyed out of the player, the rotary frame is rotated through 180 degrees, and the disk conveyed back into the player. The disk is then again clamped against the spindle and played.

Abstract: A centering apparatus for a disk having two circular recording substrates joined together with respective center holes which may be misaligned. A first and a second centering member center respectively the two disks and a mechanical actuating rod in a single motion moves the second centering member radially outward into engagement with center hole of the second substrate and presses the first centering member axially out of engagement with the center hole of the first substrate.

Abstract: A record player is disclosed which includes a turntable (35) movable at least between a first position for record loading and a second position for record unloading, a record support (10R) having at least a first position for removal of the record out of said player and a second position for mounting the record onto said turntable and a transmission device (13a) maintained in engaging relationship with said turntable for transmission of rotating torque from said turntable to said record support when said turntable is in the second position.

Abstract: There is disclosed a record player of the vertical linear tracking type. The player includes first and second cartridges, respectively, for reproduction of front and back sides of a disc record means for driving commonly the first and second cartridges toward the center of said disc record. Both sides of the disc record are reproduced while the disc record is loaded and held in a record reproduction assembly.

Abstract: The device makes it possible to optically inscribe and/or read at least two facing sides of disks in an optical memory system, whose disks are stacked. A linear motor displaces a mobile means incorporating recording-reading heads. These heads receive via a bidirectional optical connection data to be inscribed and coming from fixed light emitters-receivers. Each of the recording heads comprises two focusing lenses associated with one of the two facing sides of the disk. According to a first variant, the two sides can be read simultaneously, each of the lenses being associated with its own control device. In a second variant, a single control device is provided and the two focusing lenses are integral with one another, each side being read or inscribed in succession.