Abstract: A method for arranging conducting lines of a flexible cable in an optical disk drive first confirms the pins having similar functions of all chips on a main board and a sub-board, and uses only one conducting line of the flexible cable to connect these pins. Therefore, the number of the conducting lines of the flexible cable can be reduced.

Abstract: An optical data storage system comprises an optical disk drive and a multiple data surface magneto-optical medium. The medium comprises a substrate, a first dielectric layer, a first magneto-optical data layer, a second dielectric layer, a transmissive member, a third dielectric layer, a second magneto-optical data layer, a fourth dielectric layer, and a reflector layer. The thicknesses of the magneto-optical and dielectric layers are selected to maximize the magneto-optical read out signal received from the data layers. The disk drive includes a phase retarder for improving the signal from the magneto-optical data layers.

Abstract: An optical data storage apparatus having a focused mass storage medium which remains or rotates in focus about a focal point as data signals are transferred to and from the storage medium. The geometry of the focused mass storage medium permits greater data storage capacity while providing immediate data transfers due to the elimination of travel mechanisms commonly used to align the signal. Further, the apparatus is capable of transferring its entire data storage per rotation of the medium.

Abstract: An automatic paper feeder of a document input device includes a pick roller 20, separator pads 68 that come into contact with the pick roller 20, a first pair of pick springs 58, and a second pick spring 60. The first pick springs 58 are disposed on the upstream side of the second pick spring 60 in the direction of conveying the paper. The first pick springs 58 are disposed on the regions on both outer sides of the width of the separator pads 68 in the axial direction of the roller, and the second pick spring 60 is disposed at a central position in the width of the separator pad 68. The first and second pick springs 58 and 60 are integrally formed as a spring unit using a single metal plate, and a force of contact of the first pick springs 58 upon the pick roller 20 on the upstream side is smaller than a force of contact of the second pick spring 60 upon the pick roller 20 on the downstream side. The separator pad 68 is formed by branching a web 70 of a rubber sheet into fork-like pad units.

Abstract: One end of each of a plurality of plate springs is fixed to an optical pickup body slidably supported by supporting shafts through sliding bearings, and each of a plurality of bearings is fixed to the other end of each of the plate springs. The bearings are pressed against the supporting shafts by the energizing force of the plate springs, and a force is applied to the optical pickup body by the pressing force of the bearings in a direction opposite to gravity.

Abstract: A system for erasing data stored on an optical storage medium includes a housing, a guiding means mounted within the housing for guiding the optical recording medium on which the data is stored, and a heating means mounted in spaced-apart opposition to the guiding means for heating the optical recording medium to, thereby, thermally erase optical data stored on the medium.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus includes a stationary optical portion having a light source and a first opening through which a beam emitted from the light source passes, and a movable optical portion which moves linearly with respect to the stationary optical portion and which receives the beam from the light source through a second opening of the movable optical portion and irradiates the beam to an optical disk. The optical disk apparatus also includes a non-operating status detection part for detecting a predetermined non-operating status of the optical disk apparatus, and a controller for moving the movable optical portion to a contact position where the movable optical portion is in contact with the stationary optical portion so that the first opening of the stationary optical portion is in contact with the second opening of the movable optical portion when the non-operating status detection part detects the predetermined non-operating status.

Abstract: The separation type optical pick-up device includes a movable optical unit and a stationary optical unit having a detection portion for detecting a discrepancy between an optical axis of a light beam emitted from an emitting portion of the stationary optical unit and an optical axis of a light beam returned from the movable optical unit, and is adapted to correct the discrepancy while driving a carriage of the movable optical unit on the basis of the detected discrepancy.

Abstract: An optical information reading apparatus comprises an optical integration circuit type pickup in which an optical waveguide for guiding light and a condensing coupler for condensing the guided light propagating within the optical waveguide are formed on an optical integration circuit substrate, sub-couplers for radiating a part of the injected light upon the information recording surface in the vicinity of a light spot formed by the optical pickup and subsidiary light detection elements for receiving reflection light of the light radiated from the sub-couplers reflected from the information recording surface. The sub-couplers and the subsidiary light detection elements are formed integrally with the optical pickup on the optical integration circuit substrate. Thereby the detection error can be reduced, it is not necessary to use attachment parts and therefore the apparatus can be integrated to thereby make it possible to minimize the size.

Abstract: Disclosure is made of an optical memory wherein a cylindrical information carrier (2) is disposed in a stationary cylindrical container (14) filled with a liquid or gaseous medium transparent for the radiation flux emitted by a source (1) of modulated coherent radiation. The cylindrical information carrier (2) is equipped with a rotational drive. A recording coating (12) is applied on a tubular base (11) of the cylindrical information carrier (2). The cylindrical information carrier (2) is optically connected with the source (1) of modulated coherent radiation and with an addressing unit (3) arranged so that its optical elements can move axially with respect to the cylindrical information carrier (2).

Abstract: Disclosure is made of an optical storage device wherein a cylindrical information carrier (2) with a recording medium (12) applied on a tubular base (9) is disposed in a stationary cylindrical container (3) having a window (4) in the lateral wall thereof. A lens (5) is secured in the window (4) of the cylindrical container (3) to let through the radiation flux from a source (1) of modulated coherent radiation. The cylindrical container (3) is filled with a liquid or gaseous medium transparent for the radiation flux. The length of this cylindrical container (3) is at least twice as long as that of the recording coating (12) applied on the tubular base (9) of the cylindrical information carrier (2) equipped with drives for rotation and axial motion.

Abstract: A case provided with an information carrier consisting of a tape, one side of which has a structure carrying optically readable information as well as an apparatus for writing, reading or erasing such information. In the dustproof case containing a tape having on one side a structure carrying optically readable information, the tape is accomodated on two reels. The case is provided with one window through which a part of the tape between the reels is visible and with pressing means for urging that visible part of the tape against the window. This pressing means may be a wheel and the window may have the shape of a cylindrical lens.