Abstract: The invention discloses radio frequency zero crossing signal generators for optical disc drives, comprising a controllable low pass filter, a comparator, and a control circuit. The controllable low pass filter evaluates an average level of the magnitude of a radio frequency ripple from an optical disc drive. The comparator compares the radio frequency ripple to the average level evaluated by the controllable low pass filter to generate a radio frequency zero crossing signal. When the optical disc drive reads a fingerprint defect on an optical disc, the control circuit adjusts a cut-off frequency of the controllable low pass filter to adjust the speed at which the controllable low pass filter evaluates the average level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disc detecting method in a multi-disc optical storage apparatus, which comprises receiving an electronic signal and determining whether to perform a complete disc detecting process or not when the multi-disc optical storage apparatus is turned on or a multi-disc magazine is inserted into the multi-disc optical storage apparatus. If the multi-disc optical storage apparatus decides not to perform the complete disc detecting process, the multi-disc optical storage apparatus can enter to be standby to wait for further commands from users. If the multi-disc optical storage apparatus decides to perform the complete disc detecting process, the detecting result will be then stored in a memory for providing a reference to the subsequent accessing.

Abstract: A multitasking information processing method comprises the steps of (a) providing a plurality of turntables each for detachably storing an optical disc thereon; (b) affording a plurality of optical units each comprising a driving means and an optical read head; (c) simultaneously controlling the driving means so as to move the optical read heads in radial directions of the optical disc to a plurality of predetermined disc positions for simultaneously retrieving information stored thereon; (d) multitaskingly or simultaneously processing a plurality of information sets retrieved; and (e) rendering data transmitting means capable of multitaskingly transmitting the processed information sets processed.

Abstract: A disk device has a driving unit supported by elastic members. In a standby state, locking of the driving unit by a lock member is disengaged, so that the driving unit is elastically supported by dampers and a coil spring. This reduces the time of restriction by pins, thereby preventing damage to the pins. The lock member is operated at the time of receiving a disk, thereby locking the driving unit. Thus, the driving unit does not need to be locked in the casing for prolonged periods of time.

Abstract: A disk apparatus has a playback unit. In the playback unit, a drive plate having thereon a turntable and a spindle motor is compulsively mechanically driven by drive cams of a first and second driving plates, and then mechanically locked at a lower position or upper position. A clamp arm having a clamper is driven toward the drive plate with a biasing force of a spring, and resiliently locked at an upper position or lower position. A disk engaging section for engaging in a disk hole of a disk is formed on the clamper. A projection which is adapted to project through the disk engaging section is formed on the turntable. The disk is well chucked and the disk apparatus is ensured to perform a stable operation.