Abstract: A scanning microscope includes a stage for holding a sample, a scan mechanism, a probing system for probing a region of the sample, a position sensor, and a controller. The scan mechanism is configured to translate the stage between at least two axial positions. The probing system includes an optical element and a photosensor having a readout region, where the readout region extends in a direction which is transverse to an ideal orientation of the stage. The position sensor is configured to measure a transverse position of the stage and/or of an orientation of the stage. The controller is configured to adapt the probing system as a function of the measured transverse position and/or the measured orientation.

Abstract: An optical probe and an optical imaging system include an optical guide, and an actuator having driving coils and a magnet. By supplying a driving current through the driving a magnetic flux is generated which causes a displacement of the distal end of the optical guide. A position measuring device includes a position measuring coil used for monitoring the position of the optical guide, where displacement of the guide distal end causes change in the relative positions of the measuring and driving coils. A power supply supplies a high frequency AC current through the driving coils which causes, an induced voltage in the position measuring coil and thus generates a magnetic coupling between the measuring and driving coils. This induced voltage change is indicative for the position of the distal end.

Abstract: A scanning microscope (10) comprises a stage (18) for holding a sample (20), a scan mechanism, a probing system for probing a region (24) of the sample (20), a position sensor (80, 82), and a controller. The scan mechanism is designed for translating the stage (18) between at least two axial positions. The probing system 10 comprises an optical element and a photosensor having a readout region, wherein the readout region extends in a direction (14), which is transverse to an ideal orientation (72) of the stage (18). The position sensor (80, 82) serves for measuring a transverse position (84, 86) of the stage (18) and/or of an orientation (74) of the stage (18). The controller (30) serves for adapting the probing system as a function of the measured 15 transverse position (84, 86) and/or the measured orientation (74).

Abstract: The invention relates to a tray mechanism consisting of sliding means comprising an electrical tray motor, for moving a tray—provided for containing a disc (for example an optical disc) on which information is recorded—from a projected position, for the placement of the disc or its discharge, to a contained one, for the reproduction of recorded information, or reciprocally, and a drive power source, for supplying an applied voltage to said tray motor. Control means supply different values of the voltage applied to the tray motor according to different mechanical functions controlled by said motor.

Abstract: An optical disc drive apparatus (1) comprises: rotating means (4) for rotating an optical disc (2); a sledge (10) radially displaceable with respect to an apparatus frame (3); a platform (20) radially displaceable with respect to said sledge (10); an optical system (30) for scanning a disc, the optical system (30) defining an optical path (80) which is substantially fixed with respect to the sledge (10) and comprising an optical element (34) which is fixed with respect to the platform (20); an optical detector (35) fixed to said sledge (10); vibration detection means for detecting vibrations caused by the rotating disc; said vibration detection means comprising radial displacement detection means for detecting a radial displacement of said platform (20) with respect to said sledge (10).

Abstract: A disc drive apparatus (1) comprises a sledge (10) radially displaceable with respect to an apparatus frame (3); a platform (20) radially displaceable with respect to said sledge (10); a controllable sledge actuator (11) for moving the sledge (10) radially with respect to said apparatus frame (3); a control unit (90) for controlling said sledge actuator (11); a sledge stop detection means capable of detecting that the moving sledge (10) comes to a standstill. Said sledge stop detection means comprises radial displacement detection means for detecting a radial displacement of said platform (20) with respect to said sledge (10). Said control unit (90) receives an input signal (SXD) from said sledge stop detection means and is responsive to said input signal to switch off said sledge actuator (11) when said input signal (SXD) indicates that said moving sledge (10) has come to a standstill.

Abstract: Apparatus for reading and/or writing onto an information carrier includes the positioning system. The positioning system includes a drive member for moving a second part with respect to a first part and a fine-positioning member for moving a third part with respect to the second part. The positioning member also includes control means for continuously controlling the drive member in response to the orientation signal. The control means include control signal generating means for generating a control signal from the orientation signal. The control means further include a sensor for generating an auxiliary signal which is an indication for a current consumed by the drive member, and signal combination means for generating a drive voltage for the drive member in response to the control signal and the auxiliary signal.

Abstract: A control system in accordance with the invention comprises error signal generating means for generating an error signal in response to a reference signal and a first and a second position signal. The reference signal is a measure of the desired value of a position of a first part of a drive system with respect to a second part of the drive system. The position signals are a measure of the actual value of said position. The error signal is a measure of the difference between the desired value and the actual value of the position. The control system further comprises energizing means for energizing a motor which is to be controlled by the control system in dependence on the error signal. The control system of the invention is characterized in that the error signal generating means are adapted to generate weighting factors from the reference signal, for weighting the position signals with the weighting factors and determining a sum of the weighted position signals.

Abstract: An apparatus having a frame (1) carrying a turntable (3) for supporting the information carrier, which turntable is rotatable about an axis of rotation (3A), a slide (9), which is movable between two end positions, with a scanning unit, guide spindles (5, 7) and a linear motor unit (17, 19) for the slide, and an electrically energizable clamping unit (21). In the non-energized condition the clamping unit clamps the slide in any arbitrary stationary position of the slide along its path and in the energized condition it does not clamp the slide. During operation of the device a control unit at least substantially simultaneously turns on a first energizing current to the motor drive unit and a second energizing current to the clamping unit at the beginning of a displacement of the slide and at least substantially simultaneously turns off the first energizing current and the second energizing current at the end of the displacement.

Abstract: A device for inscribing and/or reading a magneto-optical disc (7), including a frame (1) carrying a turntable (5) which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (11), a slide (17) carrying an optical unit (19) a rectilinear guide (15) for the slide arranged on the frame, and a slide-drive unit (25). A sub-frame (3) is secured to the frame so as to be movable, and a further slide (57) to which, viewed along the axis of rotation, a magnetic unit (59) is secured at a location opposite to and spaced from the optical unit. The sub-frame carries a further rectilinear guide (55) for the further slide, which further rectilinear guide extends parallel to the rectilinear guide for the first-mentioned slide at least during operation.

Abstract: A device for inscribing and or reading a magneto-optical disc includes a turntable mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation, and an optical unit and a magnetic unit movably mounted opposite to and spaced from each other in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation. The optical unit and magnetic unit are mounted each to be movable in a plane transverse to the rotation axis. The magnetic unit includes a coil on a support which in turn is movably mounted on a displacement body which is radially moveable with respect to the axis. During operation a measurement and control system determines the radial position of the optical unit and the magnetic unit relative to each other in the radial direction, for controlling at least the radial position of the coil of the magnetic unit relative to an objective of the optical units.

Abstract: A device for inscribing and/or reading a magneto-optical disc (7), comprising a frame carrying a turntable which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (11), an optical unit (19) which comprises an objective (21) and an actuator for moving the objective in a direction parallel to such axis of rotation, and, viewed along such axis, a magnetic unit (59) arranged opposite to and spaced from the optical unit. The optical unit and the magnetic unit are movable in a plane which is oriented transversely of said axis of rotation. The magnetic unit comprises a coil (131) arranged on a coil former (129) and a further actuator (24) for moving the coil in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the turntable. The device further comprises a measurement and control system for detecting, during operation of the device, the distance between a reference plane (R) of the magnetic unit and the magneto-optical disc and for controlling the position of the coil.

Abstract: A read apparatus for reading a record carrier (1) having a concentric track pattern comprises a scanning device (2, 3) for reading the information, and a separator circuit (4) for extracting a periodic synchronizing signal (Ps) from the information read. By means of a servo system, which inter alia includes a drive motor (9) for driving the disc 1 and a control circuit (5), the rotational speed of the disc is controlled so as to maintain the periodic synchronizing signal (Ps) in synchronism with a reference signal (Pr). The circuit (9a) rejects those signal components in the control signal (U) for the motor (9) which are caused by an eccentric position of the center of rotation of the disc relative to the track pattern. This prevents these signal components from causing an unnecessary dissipation of electric power in the motor, yielding a substantial improvement in motor efficiency.