Abstract: A storage/retrieval device for optical disks includes a container having an access slot. A disk shelf is rotatably mounted in the container and includes a plurality of storage compartments each for receiving an optical disk. A driving roller and a driven roller are rotatably mounted in the container for moving an optical disk into or out of the container via the access slot. An ejecting member includes a first end pivotably supported in the container and a second end operably coupled with the driving roller. The ejecting member is pivotable between a first position in one of the storage compartments for moving an optical disk in the storage compartment out of the storage compartment and a second position outside the storage compartment. A motor is provided to drive the driving roller for rotating the driving roller and the driven roller in opposite directions and for pivoting the ejecting member.

Abstract: The disc retrieval and release apparatus and method has a retrieve and release member for retrieving and releasing a disc for processing. The retrieve and release member releases one of the discs into and retrieves it from a wait processing region where the upper side of the disc tray is. The retrieve and release member enters and exits the wait processing region slantwise when the moving arm moves thereto. Thus, the embodiment releases the unprocessed disc into the wait processing region, and then retrieves the processed disc from the wait processing region after the unprocessed disc is processed. Thus, the discs are retrieved from a disc tray of the optical drive that extends out completely or incompletely, and they are released into the disc tray easily.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an automatic disc loader and unloader is integrated into an optical disc recorder having a labeling facility. In one embodiment, a supply stack of discs is positioned generally directly above an extended delivery tray of the system. Thus, a relatively small footprint is required. Also in the preferred embodiment, a disc take-up facility is located below the extended tray, so as not to extend substantially beyond the recorder/labeler with the tray in its extended condition. The loading of discs into the tray and the unloading of discs from the tray may be accomplished by a coordinated mechanism driven by a single motor.

Abstract: A processor is provided in a main body and performs at least one of writing data on a plate-shaped medium, reading data from the medium and printing on the medium. A drawer tray is provided in the main body, includes a stacker portion which is configured to accommodate a plurality of plate-shaped media processed by the processor and is movable between an accommodated position where the stacker portion is capable of receiving the media and a drawn position where the drawer tray is pulled out from the main body to take out the media accommodated in the stacker portion.

Abstract: An optical disk device including a tray in which recording mediums having differing outer diameters can be selectively mounted. The tray carries the recording media into the main body of the optical disk device wherein it is, chucked by a turntable. Holding members for holding the recording medium at a predetermined position relative to a mounting face of the tray are provided in a front portion and a rear portion respectively relative to the transport direction of the tray. At least one of the holding members is movable between a first holding position for holding a small diameter recording medium, and a second holding position for holding a large diameter recording medium. The holding member is biased toward the first holding position by a biasing member.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a mechanical apparatus for performing automatic and unattended data storage and retrieval tasks. The apparatus enables automating the data storage procedure of recording files on multiple compact discs (CDs) or digital versatile discs (DVDs) without relaying on the intervention of a human operator. The apparatus automatically transfers empty discs into the disc drive, removes them from the disc drive and marks them appropriately once the disc writing and reading procedures are completed. The apparatus is composed of an arm equipped with a gripping mechanism such as suction cups or mechanical grippers which can move vertically and horizontally and transfer the discs according to necessity. Two embodiments are described: in the first embodiment the horizontal movement of the arm is circular and is performed around a central axis; in the second the movement is along a straight line and the arm is positioned on a rack.

Abstract: An information storage disk handling apparatus includes a first disk device, a second disk device and a turn-over device. The first disk device has a first tray, and the second disk device has a second tray. The first disk device is mounted over the second disk device. Each of the trays has an ejected position. The turn-over device is mounted between the ejected positions of the trays of the first disk device and the second disk device to turn over an optical disk removed from the first tray at its ejected position and received by the second tray at its ejected position after the optical disk is turned.

Abstract: A disk apparatus includes a playback unit having a reading unit for reading information recorded on a disk, and a turntable on which the disk is placed, the playback unit being movable between a lateral side of a disk conveying path and a central portion of the disk, an arc-shaped stocker for stocking the disk, the stocker being shaped like a part of a circle whose more than half of its area including a center is removed in order to make it possible for the playback unit to move toward the central portion of the disk, and a supporting member disposed separately from the stocker opposite to a part of the disk which is not held by the stocker, the supporting member restricting horizontal movements of the disk.

Abstract: An optical disk drive which decreases unit costs and reduces the size of a product. The optical disk drive includes a frame, a base chassis rotatably installed on the frame, a spindle motor and a pick-up device installed on the base chassis, a tray moving into and out of the frame when a disk cartridge is mounted on the tray, a loading device for operating the tray and the base chassis, and a disk cartridge recognizing device for sensing whether or not recognition holes formed through a disk cartridge case are opened or closed to display data of the disk cartridge. The disk cartridge recognizing device includes switches fixed to a front part of the frame, and a switch operating portion for operating the switches according to whether or not the recognition holes are opened or closed.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying multiple discs, prior to their use in an automated system is disclosed. A robotic arm, or similar device, is used to pick a disc from a set of unprocessed discs in a first receptacle. The robotic arm then holds the disc in position, where an imaging device captures an image of the disc. A computing system, in communication with the imaging device, determines whether a single disc is present, or multiple discs are present. Based on the result of this determination, the disc is either placed in the media reader for further processing, or rejected and placed in one of the output receptacles.

Abstract: An optical disk player with improved opening and closing of a door, transport of a tray, and an improved pivoting structure of a chassis to pivot a turntable. The optical disk player includes: a body; a tray to move in and out of the body so as to transport an optical disk; a chassis installed to pivot inside the body; an optical pickup, which is installed to be able to move back and forth in the chassis, to record/reproduce information onto/from the optical disk that is rotatably placed on the turntable; a cover installed on a front of the body, the cover including: a door holder with an aperture through which the tray moves; a door to be able to slide along the door holder so as to open and close the aperture; and a cam driving device to activate the tray, to pivot the chassis, and to open and close the door by sliding.

Abstract: A cartridge storage device includes a housing having a front and a back. A plurality of cells are mounted in the housing, each cell adapted for receiving a media cartridge. A drive mechanism drives the cells towards a front opening in the front of the housing for allowing insertion and retrieval of the cartridges from the cells by the picker. Optionally, the back of the housing can have a rear opening for allowing in situ user-insertion and retrieval of the cartridges from the cells as well as viewing of the cartridges.

Abstract: A disk changer for CD and DVD disks including a rotatable platter with several slots each adapted for receiving a disk generally needs two optical sensors. The first sensor is adapted for detecting the number of a related slot of the platter and for providing a stop signal for the rotation of the platter. The second sensor is adapted for detecting the presence or absence of a disk in a given slot. Said sensors and their associated evaluation circuits are expensive components. Therefore it is an object to simplify the means for realizing said sensors. Said second sensor has the form of a link hingedly mounted between its two ends a first end of the link contacting the surface of the disk and a second end of the link cooperating with said first optical sensor. By this solution said second sensor and its associated evaluation circuit can be omitted substantially reducing the total costs of the changer.

Abstract: A disc changer apparatus includes a stacking unit for stacking at least two holder compartments, adapted to hold one disc each, in at least two stacking positions. The holder compartments are coupled to at least one spindle having a screwthread and are movable in a vertical direction by rotation of the spindles. The holder compartments are stacked in upper and lower stacking zones of the stacking. The changer apparatus has a play position for reading information stored on the information discs and/or writing information on the informaton discs. A central zone of the stacking unit between the upper and the lower stacking zone has a loading position, into which one of the holder compartments is movable by rotation of the spindles. A transporter unit is adapted to move the disc from the holder compartment, which is in the loading position, into the play and eject positions.

Abstract: A disk apparatus includes a stock section for storing a plurality of stacked disks, a disk transfer mechanism for withdrawing a selected disk out of the stock section, a selection mechanism for causing the selected disk and the disk transfer mechanism to face each other, a rotating section for driving the disk, a common motor, a power transmission mechanism for selectively transmitting the power of the motor to the selection mechanism and to the disk transfer mechanism, and a switching mechanism for switching between a first switching state in which the power of the motor is transmitted to the disk transfer mechanism and a second switching state in which the power of the motor is transmitted to the selection mechanism. The switching mechanism is switched between the states by the moving force of the disk transfer mechanism moving between a transfer-force transmitting position and a transfer-force interrupting position.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of reducing a program selection time in an optical disc multi-changer by determining whether a disc is mounted on a disc mounting unit before it is determined whether the disc is chucked and a type of the disc is discriminated. The method of operating the optical disc multi-changer having a tray with disc mounting units, includes receiving a signal to determine whether a disc is mounted on a current disc mounting unit of the disc mounting units, outputting a command signal to move to a next disc mounting unit of the disc mounting units where the received signal indicates that no disc is mounted on the current disc mounting unit, and receiving a program selection signal where the received signal is received from all disc mounting units. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce a program selection time by determining whether the disc is mounted on the disc mounting unit before the disc chucking and discrimination of the type of the disc are performed.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing optical disks including a plurality of driving shafts, supported on the bottom plate of an optical disk drive, and a plurality of elastic devices. The driving shafts rotate synchronously around their vertical axes to raise and lower the trays. Each of the driving shafts includes a thread region, threads of which can be engaged with the trays, and an upright region located on the thread region. The pitch for threads in the upper thread portion is larger than that in the lower thread portion of the thread region. Each of the elastic devices has one end fixed to a top end of the upright region of the corresponding driving shaft or fixed beneath the top plate, and the other end provided together with the flat surface between the upright region and the thread region for clamping the trays in the range of the upright regions.