CA1251561A - Optical information recording medium and apparatus for recording/reproducing information using the same - Google Patents
Optical information recording medium and apparatus for recording/reproducing information using the sameInfo
- Publication number
- CA1251561A CA1251561A CA000498287A CA498287A CA1251561A CA 1251561 A CA1251561 A CA 1251561A CA 000498287 A CA000498287 A CA 000498287A CA 498287 A CA498287 A CA 498287A CA 1251561 A CA1251561 A CA 1251561A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tracking
- tracks
- signal
- clock
- spots
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B7/00—Recording or reproducing by optical means, e.g. recording using a thermal beam of optical radiation by modifying optical properties or the physical structure, reproducing using an optical beam at lower power by sensing optical properties; Record carriers therefor
- G11B7/08—Disposition or mounting of heads or light sources relatively to record carriers
- G11B7/09—Disposition or mounting of heads or light sources relatively to record carriers with provision for moving the light beam or focus plane for the purpose of maintaining alignment of the light beam relative to the record carrier during transducing operation, e.g. to compensate for surface irregularities of the latter or for track following
- G11B7/0901—Disposition or mounting of heads or light sources relatively to record carriers with provision for moving the light beam or focus plane for the purpose of maintaining alignment of the light beam relative to the record carrier during transducing operation, e.g. to compensate for surface irregularities of the latter or for track following for track following only
- G11B7/0903—Multi-beam tracking systems
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B7/00—Recording or reproducing by optical means, e.g. recording using a thermal beam of optical radiation by modifying optical properties or the physical structure, reproducing using an optical beam at lower power by sensing optical properties; Record carriers therefor
- G11B7/002—Recording, reproducing or erasing systems characterised by the shape or form of the carrier
- G11B7/0033—Recording, reproducing or erasing systems characterised by the shape or form of the carrier with cards or other card-like flat carriers, e.g. flat sheets of optical film
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B7/00—Recording or reproducing by optical means, e.g. recording using a thermal beam of optical radiation by modifying optical properties or the physical structure, reproducing using an optical beam at lower power by sensing optical properties; Record carriers therefor
- G11B7/004—Recording, reproducing or erasing methods; Read, write or erase circuits therefor
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B7/00—Recording or reproducing by optical means, e.g. recording using a thermal beam of optical radiation by modifying optical properties or the physical structure, reproducing using an optical beam at lower power by sensing optical properties; Record carriers therefor
- G11B7/08—Disposition or mounting of heads or light sources relatively to record carriers
- G11B7/09—Disposition or mounting of heads or light sources relatively to record carriers with provision for moving the light beam or focus plane for the purpose of maintaining alignment of the light beam relative to the record carrier during transducing operation, e.g. to compensate for surface irregularities of the latter or for track following
- G11B7/0938—Disposition or mounting of heads or light sources relatively to record carriers with provision for moving the light beam or focus plane for the purpose of maintaining alignment of the light beam relative to the record carrier during transducing operation, e.g. to compensate for surface irregularities of the latter or for track following servo format, e.g. guide tracks, pilot signals
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B7/00—Recording or reproducing by optical means, e.g. recording using a thermal beam of optical radiation by modifying optical properties or the physical structure, reproducing using an optical beam at lower power by sensing optical properties; Record carriers therefor
- G11B7/24—Record carriers characterised by shape, structure or physical properties, or by the selection of the material
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B7/00—Recording or reproducing by optical means, e.g. recording using a thermal beam of optical radiation by modifying optical properties or the physical structure, reproducing using an optical beam at lower power by sensing optical properties; Record carriers therefor
- G11B7/24—Record carriers characterised by shape, structure or physical properties, or by the selection of the material
- G11B7/2407—Tracks or pits; Shape, structure or physical properties thereof
- G11B7/24085—Pits
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B7/00—Recording or reproducing by optical means, e.g. recording using a thermal beam of optical radiation by modifying optical properties or the physical structure, reproducing using an optical beam at lower power by sensing optical properties; Record carriers therefor
- G11B7/08—Disposition or mounting of heads or light sources relatively to record carriers
- G11B7/09—Disposition or mounting of heads or light sources relatively to record carriers with provision for moving the light beam or focus plane for the purpose of maintaining alignment of the light beam relative to the record carrier during transducing operation, e.g. to compensate for surface irregularities of the latter or for track following
- G11B7/0908—Disposition or mounting of heads or light sources relatively to record carriers with provision for moving the light beam or focus plane for the purpose of maintaining alignment of the light beam relative to the record carrier during transducing operation, e.g. to compensate for surface irregularities of the latter or for track following for focusing only
- G11B7/0917—Focus-error methods other than those covered by G11B7/0909 - G11B7/0916
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An optical information recording medium in the form of a card having tracking tracks for obtaining a tracking signal and clock tracks for obtaining a clock signal arranged alternately and record zones for recording information between each of the tracking tracks and each of the clock tracks, and apparatus for recording/reproducing information using the recording medium.
An optical information recording medium in the form of a card having tracking tracks for obtaining a tracking signal and clock tracks for obtaining a clock signal arranged alternately and record zones for recording information between each of the tracking tracks and each of the clock tracks, and apparatus for recording/reproducing information using the recording medium.
Description
iZS15~1 TITLE OF THE I NTION
Optical Information Recording Medium and Apparatus for Recording/Reproducing Information using the same BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical information recording medium and apparatus for recording/reproducing information in and from the medium. More particularly, the present invenLion relates to an optical information recording medium in the form of a card having tracks performed to obtain a tracking signal and a clock signal, and also relates lS to apparatus for recording/reproducing information using said recording medium.
Description of the Prior Art In the art there have been known and used various kinds of recording media in which information can be recorded utilizing light and from which the recorded information can be read out optically. These known optical recording media have various forms such as disk, card, tape, etc. Among them the card-shaped optical recording medium (hereinafter referred to simply as optical card) has many advantages. It is small in size and light in weight for its large recording capacity. Man can carry it very conveniently.
12S~
1 For these advantages the optical card is expected -to have an increasing demand.
~ ecording of information on the optical card is carried out by scanning the card by a beam of light modulated according to information and condensed to a very small spot. With the scanning, the information is recorded as lines of record pits (information track) which are optically detectable. In order to perform the optical recording correctly without any trouble such as crossing of information tracks according to the recording method, it is essential to precisely control the position at which the modulated beam is projected. In this optical recording method, the beam projection position must be controlled in the direction normal to the direction of scanning (this control is referred to as auto-tracking). In addition, it is necessary to generate a clock signal useful for the correction of possible variation in scanning speed.
Concerning the above-mentioned optical card, we, the inventors of the present invention, have received some technical disclosure from the Drexler Technology Corporation. From the technical disclosure we have known that such optical cards have already been proposed which have tracks previously formed on the card to obtain a tracking signal and a clock signal. For the sake of explanation, a first example ~2Sl S~
1 of such optical cards as disclosed is shown in the acconpanying drawings, Figs. lA and lB.
Fig. lA is a schematic plan view of the prior art optical card.
The optical card 31 has clock tracks 321, 322, 323, 324, ... in the form of broken lines previously formed by recording clock signals. The clock tracks are arranged at regular intervals on the optical card so as to provide recording zones 341~ 342' 343' ... between the clock tracks.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the surface of the optical card 31 showing how to record information on the optical card.
In recording some information, three beams are projected from an optical recording head. The projected beams are focused to form very small spots S1, S2 and S3 on the card. With the relative movement between the optical card and the optical recording head, these spots scan the card surface in the direc-tion of arrow a. Of the three spots the middle spotS2 is used to record information. At the step shown in Fig. lB, the spot S2 has just recorded a piece of information as a record pit 35 in the record zone 341-The remaining two spots Sl and S3 are used to genera-te a tracking signal and a clock signal in -the following manner.
The spots Sl and S3 are reflected on the card i~Sl~tj~
I surface. One of the reflected lights, that of the spot Sl or that of the spot S3 is guided to a detector provided in the optical recording head. From the reflected light the detector detects a tracking signal by a known method such as push-pull. In accordance with the tracking signal, the spots S1, S2 and S3 are moved together in the direction of arrow b normal to the scanning direction a so that the spot Sl can always trace the clock track 32 correctly. This control of the spot positions enables to form the record pits 35 correctly along the clock track 321 and to prevent information tracks from crossing each other. Simultaneously with the detection of the tracking signal, the reflected light of S3 or Sl reproduces the clock signal which is used as a clock for recording signals.
The reproduction of the recorded information can be carried out in a similar manner to the above.
The above-shown optical card, however, involves a problem. Generally, recording or reproducing transfer speed of the optical card is low and, therefore, the frequency of change of the tracking signal due to the noncontinuity of the clock track lies near the servo area of the auto-tracking. Because of the fact the auto-tracking is adversely affected by the change of the tracking signal. This is an important drawback of the above-shown prior art optical card.
12~.1S~l l In the above--mentioned technical disclosure there has been shown also an optical card developed to solve the above problem. This optical card is shown in Figs. 2A and 2B as a second example of the prior art.
Fig. 2A is a schematic plan view of the optical card. The optical card 41 has clock tracks 421, 422, 423, ... tracking tracks 431~ 432' 433~ -- previously formed on the card. Between the clock -tracks and the tracking tracks there are provided reeord zones 441' 442' In other words, one cloek track is along one side of one record zone and one tracking track is along the other side of the record zone. The clock traek is again in the form of broken line. But, in this seeond example, the traeking traek is formed as unbroken line.
Fig. 2B is an enlarged view of the reeord side surfaee of the optieal eard 41 showing how to reeord information on the eard.
The method of reeording on the optieal eard is basieally the same as that of the first example shown in Fig. 1. Again, three spots sean the eard surface in the direetion of arrow a. The middle spot S2 is used to record information as a record pit 45. However, in this example, the spot S3 traces the tracking tracks 431' 432' - to generate a tra~king signal.
The first spot Sl is projected on the clocks 421, 125~S~l 1 422, ... to obtain the necessary clock signal.
As obviously seen, the second example enables to detect the tracking signal independently of the clock signal thereby assuring correct auto-tracking.
However, since a part of the surface of the optical card is occupied additionally by -the tracking tracks, the recording capacity per unit area is necessarily decreased. Obviously, the effect area for recording in the second optical card 4l is smaller than that in the first example shown in Fig. 1.
SUMMARY OF THE INVEN'rION
Accordingly it is the general object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art as mentioned above.
More specifically it is the principal object of -the invention to provide an optical information recording medium which enables to realize correct auto-tracking without decreasing the recording capacity per unit area, and to provide apparatus for recording/reproducing information in and from the recording medium.
According to the present invention, the above object is attained by an optical information recording medium in the form of a card having alternate lines of tracking track and clock track previously formed for 5~;1 ] obtaining a tracking signal and a clock signal, and recording 20nes useful for recording inforrnation provided between every two lines of said tracks.
The present invention provides also apparatus for recording/reproducing information using said recording medium.
Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following deseription taken in eonneetion with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. lA is a sehematie plan view of a first example of the prior art optieal eard and Fig. lB is an enlarged view thereof showing how to reeord information on the eard;
Fig. 2A is a sehematic plan view of a second example of the prior art optieal card and Fig. 2B is an enlarged view thereof showing how to record information on the eard;
Fig. 3 is a schematie plan view of an embodiment of the optical card according to the present invention;
Fig. 4 s a perspeetive view of an embodiment of the apparatus for recording/reproducing information according to the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a sectional side view of the lZSl~l 1 recording/reproducing apparatus;
Fig. 6 is a view illustrating the construction of the photo detector in the embodiment of the appara-tus;
Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the embodiment of the optical card showiny how to record information on it;
Fig. 8 is a view illustrating the principle of the auto-focusing in the embodiment of the appara-tus;
Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the embodiment of the optical card showing how to reproduce the information recorded in it;
Fig. l0 is a block diagram showing a concrete form of the signal processing system in the embodiment of the apparatus;
Fig. ll is a view showing the construction of the photo detector in a modification of the above embodiment of the apparatus;
Fig. 12 is an enlarged view of the optical card showing how to reproduce the recorded information according to the modification; and Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing a concrete form of the signal processing system in the modification.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
An embodiment of the optical card according to iZ~ilS~;l I the present invention is schematically shown in Fig. 3.
The optical card 1 has alternate lines of clock track 2 and tracking track 3 previously formed on the optical card. The track lines are arranged regularly with equal spaces which provide recording zones 41~ 42~ 43~ ... for recording information therein.
The clock tracks 21, 22, 23, -- are in the form of broken line on which clock signals have been previously recorded intermittently at certain constant periods.
10 The tracking tracks 31~ 32' 33, .... are in the form of unbroken line from which a tracking signal can be obtained.
In this optical card according to the invention, every recording zone lies between every two lines, clock track and tracking track. Therefore, this optical card has a large effective area for recording sufficient enough to obtain substantially the same recording density as that obtained by the first example of the prior art shown in Fig. 1. In addition, this optical card according to the invention has also a tracking track provided for producing a tracking signal, which assures very precise and correct auto--tracking.
An embodiment of the recording/reproducing apparatus using the above optical information recording medium is shown in perspective view in Fig. 4 and in sectional side view in Fig. 5.
l~il~til I In the apparatus a beam of light is emitted from a light source 11 and collimated by a collimater lens 12. The beam is then slit into three beams by a diffraction grating. These beams enter an objective lens 14 which focuses these three beams on the surface of an optical card 1 as shown in Fig. 3.
Thus, three beam spots Sl, S2 and S3 are formed on the optical card 1. The optical card is being moved in the direction of arrow R by driving means not shown.
With the movement the surface of the optical card 1 is scanned by the beam spots in the direction in which the tracking and clock tracks extend.
The reflected beams of the beam spots S1, S2 and S3 from the card surface enter again the objective lens which transmits the reflected beams to a mirror 15. The mirror reflects the three beams toward a condenser lens 16 through which the reflected beams are projected on photo detectors 17, 18, 19 arranged on the focal plane of the lens. As shown in Fig. 6, the three photo detectors are in alignment with Z-axis.
Further, the light-receiving surfaces of the photo detectors 17 and 18 are divided into four sections A, B, C and D.
The manner how to record information on the optical card will be described with reference to Fig.
7 which is an enlarged view of the record side surface of the optical card. For the sake of explanation it is lZ~iii56~
1 assumed that the apparatus is now recording a piece of information in the recording zone 41 The beam spots Sl, S2 and S3 are being projected on the clock track 21, recording zone 41 and tracking track 31 respectively. As, previously mentioned, the optical card 1 is moved by driving means, these spo-ts scan the card in the direction of arrow a (scanning direction). In the manner previously described, the reflected light of the spot Sl is projected on the photo detector 17 to reproduce a clock signal. The reflected light of the spot S3 enters the photo detector l9 to detect a tracking signal according to the so-called push-pull method. To this end, the light-receiving surface of the photo detector l9 is divided into area A+C and area B+D by a dividing line extending in parallel with y-axis as shown in Fig. 6.
The y-axis extends in the direction of the tracking track. If the spot S3 gets in deviation from the tracking track 31' the area A+C and the area B+D have different light intensities regarding the incident light on each area. Therefore, a tracking signal can be obtained by comparing the two light intensity signals with each other.
In accordance with the detected tracking signal, the spots S1, S2, S3 are together moved in the direction of arrow b normal to the scanning direction by a tracking means not shown (tracking means may be, lZS ~5~1 for example, means for moving the objective lens 14 in the direction of Z-axis in Fig. 3). In this manner, the auto-tracking is performed and a record pit 5 is recorded in the recording zone 41 correctly along the 5 tracking track 31 by the spot S2.
During the above recording operation, the photo detector 19 detects also a focusing signal for auto-focusing in addition to the above tracking signal for auto-tracking. Herein, the term "auto-focusing"
means a control for keeping spots correctly focused on the record side surface of the optical card. The principle of the detection of focusing signal will be described in brief with reference to Fig. 8.
In Fig. 8, like reference numerals to Fig. 5 represent the same or corresponding members. The record side surface of the optical card is designated by 21. The incident light 20 to the surface 21 forms the above-mentioned spot S3. The beam 20 obliquely enters the record surface 21 and is reflected as the reflected beam 22.
When the spots are correctly focused on the record surface of the card, the reflected beam 22 enters the mirror 15 travelling in parallel with the incident beam 20, and then the reflected beam is
Optical Information Recording Medium and Apparatus for Recording/Reproducing Information using the same BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical information recording medium and apparatus for recording/reproducing information in and from the medium. More particularly, the present invenLion relates to an optical information recording medium in the form of a card having tracks performed to obtain a tracking signal and a clock signal, and also relates lS to apparatus for recording/reproducing information using said recording medium.
Description of the Prior Art In the art there have been known and used various kinds of recording media in which information can be recorded utilizing light and from which the recorded information can be read out optically. These known optical recording media have various forms such as disk, card, tape, etc. Among them the card-shaped optical recording medium (hereinafter referred to simply as optical card) has many advantages. It is small in size and light in weight for its large recording capacity. Man can carry it very conveniently.
12S~
1 For these advantages the optical card is expected -to have an increasing demand.
~ ecording of information on the optical card is carried out by scanning the card by a beam of light modulated according to information and condensed to a very small spot. With the scanning, the information is recorded as lines of record pits (information track) which are optically detectable. In order to perform the optical recording correctly without any trouble such as crossing of information tracks according to the recording method, it is essential to precisely control the position at which the modulated beam is projected. In this optical recording method, the beam projection position must be controlled in the direction normal to the direction of scanning (this control is referred to as auto-tracking). In addition, it is necessary to generate a clock signal useful for the correction of possible variation in scanning speed.
Concerning the above-mentioned optical card, we, the inventors of the present invention, have received some technical disclosure from the Drexler Technology Corporation. From the technical disclosure we have known that such optical cards have already been proposed which have tracks previously formed on the card to obtain a tracking signal and a clock signal. For the sake of explanation, a first example ~2Sl S~
1 of such optical cards as disclosed is shown in the acconpanying drawings, Figs. lA and lB.
Fig. lA is a schematic plan view of the prior art optical card.
The optical card 31 has clock tracks 321, 322, 323, 324, ... in the form of broken lines previously formed by recording clock signals. The clock tracks are arranged at regular intervals on the optical card so as to provide recording zones 341~ 342' 343' ... between the clock tracks.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the surface of the optical card 31 showing how to record information on the optical card.
In recording some information, three beams are projected from an optical recording head. The projected beams are focused to form very small spots S1, S2 and S3 on the card. With the relative movement between the optical card and the optical recording head, these spots scan the card surface in the direc-tion of arrow a. Of the three spots the middle spotS2 is used to record information. At the step shown in Fig. lB, the spot S2 has just recorded a piece of information as a record pit 35 in the record zone 341-The remaining two spots Sl and S3 are used to genera-te a tracking signal and a clock signal in -the following manner.
The spots Sl and S3 are reflected on the card i~Sl~tj~
I surface. One of the reflected lights, that of the spot Sl or that of the spot S3 is guided to a detector provided in the optical recording head. From the reflected light the detector detects a tracking signal by a known method such as push-pull. In accordance with the tracking signal, the spots S1, S2 and S3 are moved together in the direction of arrow b normal to the scanning direction a so that the spot Sl can always trace the clock track 32 correctly. This control of the spot positions enables to form the record pits 35 correctly along the clock track 321 and to prevent information tracks from crossing each other. Simultaneously with the detection of the tracking signal, the reflected light of S3 or Sl reproduces the clock signal which is used as a clock for recording signals.
The reproduction of the recorded information can be carried out in a similar manner to the above.
The above-shown optical card, however, involves a problem. Generally, recording or reproducing transfer speed of the optical card is low and, therefore, the frequency of change of the tracking signal due to the noncontinuity of the clock track lies near the servo area of the auto-tracking. Because of the fact the auto-tracking is adversely affected by the change of the tracking signal. This is an important drawback of the above-shown prior art optical card.
12~.1S~l l In the above--mentioned technical disclosure there has been shown also an optical card developed to solve the above problem. This optical card is shown in Figs. 2A and 2B as a second example of the prior art.
Fig. 2A is a schematic plan view of the optical card. The optical card 41 has clock tracks 421, 422, 423, ... tracking tracks 431~ 432' 433~ -- previously formed on the card. Between the clock -tracks and the tracking tracks there are provided reeord zones 441' 442' In other words, one cloek track is along one side of one record zone and one tracking track is along the other side of the record zone. The clock traek is again in the form of broken line. But, in this seeond example, the traeking traek is formed as unbroken line.
Fig. 2B is an enlarged view of the reeord side surfaee of the optieal eard 41 showing how to reeord information on the eard.
The method of reeording on the optieal eard is basieally the same as that of the first example shown in Fig. 1. Again, three spots sean the eard surface in the direetion of arrow a. The middle spot S2 is used to record information as a record pit 45. However, in this example, the spot S3 traces the tracking tracks 431' 432' - to generate a tra~king signal.
The first spot Sl is projected on the clocks 421, 125~S~l 1 422, ... to obtain the necessary clock signal.
As obviously seen, the second example enables to detect the tracking signal independently of the clock signal thereby assuring correct auto-tracking.
However, since a part of the surface of the optical card is occupied additionally by -the tracking tracks, the recording capacity per unit area is necessarily decreased. Obviously, the effect area for recording in the second optical card 4l is smaller than that in the first example shown in Fig. 1.
SUMMARY OF THE INVEN'rION
Accordingly it is the general object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art as mentioned above.
More specifically it is the principal object of -the invention to provide an optical information recording medium which enables to realize correct auto-tracking without decreasing the recording capacity per unit area, and to provide apparatus for recording/reproducing information in and from the recording medium.
According to the present invention, the above object is attained by an optical information recording medium in the form of a card having alternate lines of tracking track and clock track previously formed for 5~;1 ] obtaining a tracking signal and a clock signal, and recording 20nes useful for recording inforrnation provided between every two lines of said tracks.
The present invention provides also apparatus for recording/reproducing information using said recording medium.
Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following deseription taken in eonneetion with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. lA is a sehematie plan view of a first example of the prior art optieal eard and Fig. lB is an enlarged view thereof showing how to reeord information on the eard;
Fig. 2A is a sehematic plan view of a second example of the prior art optieal card and Fig. 2B is an enlarged view thereof showing how to record information on the eard;
Fig. 3 is a schematie plan view of an embodiment of the optical card according to the present invention;
Fig. 4 s a perspeetive view of an embodiment of the apparatus for recording/reproducing information according to the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a sectional side view of the lZSl~l 1 recording/reproducing apparatus;
Fig. 6 is a view illustrating the construction of the photo detector in the embodiment of the appara-tus;
Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the embodiment of the optical card showiny how to record information on it;
Fig. 8 is a view illustrating the principle of the auto-focusing in the embodiment of the appara-tus;
Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the embodiment of the optical card showing how to reproduce the information recorded in it;
Fig. l0 is a block diagram showing a concrete form of the signal processing system in the embodiment of the apparatus;
Fig. ll is a view showing the construction of the photo detector in a modification of the above embodiment of the apparatus;
Fig. 12 is an enlarged view of the optical card showing how to reproduce the recorded information according to the modification; and Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing a concrete form of the signal processing system in the modification.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
An embodiment of the optical card according to iZ~ilS~;l I the present invention is schematically shown in Fig. 3.
The optical card 1 has alternate lines of clock track 2 and tracking track 3 previously formed on the optical card. The track lines are arranged regularly with equal spaces which provide recording zones 41~ 42~ 43~ ... for recording information therein.
The clock tracks 21, 22, 23, -- are in the form of broken line on which clock signals have been previously recorded intermittently at certain constant periods.
10 The tracking tracks 31~ 32' 33, .... are in the form of unbroken line from which a tracking signal can be obtained.
In this optical card according to the invention, every recording zone lies between every two lines, clock track and tracking track. Therefore, this optical card has a large effective area for recording sufficient enough to obtain substantially the same recording density as that obtained by the first example of the prior art shown in Fig. 1. In addition, this optical card according to the invention has also a tracking track provided for producing a tracking signal, which assures very precise and correct auto--tracking.
An embodiment of the recording/reproducing apparatus using the above optical information recording medium is shown in perspective view in Fig. 4 and in sectional side view in Fig. 5.
l~il~til I In the apparatus a beam of light is emitted from a light source 11 and collimated by a collimater lens 12. The beam is then slit into three beams by a diffraction grating. These beams enter an objective lens 14 which focuses these three beams on the surface of an optical card 1 as shown in Fig. 3.
Thus, three beam spots Sl, S2 and S3 are formed on the optical card 1. The optical card is being moved in the direction of arrow R by driving means not shown.
With the movement the surface of the optical card 1 is scanned by the beam spots in the direction in which the tracking and clock tracks extend.
The reflected beams of the beam spots S1, S2 and S3 from the card surface enter again the objective lens which transmits the reflected beams to a mirror 15. The mirror reflects the three beams toward a condenser lens 16 through which the reflected beams are projected on photo detectors 17, 18, 19 arranged on the focal plane of the lens. As shown in Fig. 6, the three photo detectors are in alignment with Z-axis.
Further, the light-receiving surfaces of the photo detectors 17 and 18 are divided into four sections A, B, C and D.
The manner how to record information on the optical card will be described with reference to Fig.
7 which is an enlarged view of the record side surface of the optical card. For the sake of explanation it is lZ~iii56~
1 assumed that the apparatus is now recording a piece of information in the recording zone 41 The beam spots Sl, S2 and S3 are being projected on the clock track 21, recording zone 41 and tracking track 31 respectively. As, previously mentioned, the optical card 1 is moved by driving means, these spo-ts scan the card in the direction of arrow a (scanning direction). In the manner previously described, the reflected light of the spot Sl is projected on the photo detector 17 to reproduce a clock signal. The reflected light of the spot S3 enters the photo detector l9 to detect a tracking signal according to the so-called push-pull method. To this end, the light-receiving surface of the photo detector l9 is divided into area A+C and area B+D by a dividing line extending in parallel with y-axis as shown in Fig. 6.
The y-axis extends in the direction of the tracking track. If the spot S3 gets in deviation from the tracking track 31' the area A+C and the area B+D have different light intensities regarding the incident light on each area. Therefore, a tracking signal can be obtained by comparing the two light intensity signals with each other.
In accordance with the detected tracking signal, the spots S1, S2, S3 are together moved in the direction of arrow b normal to the scanning direction by a tracking means not shown (tracking means may be, lZS ~5~1 for example, means for moving the objective lens 14 in the direction of Z-axis in Fig. 3). In this manner, the auto-tracking is performed and a record pit 5 is recorded in the recording zone 41 correctly along the 5 tracking track 31 by the spot S2.
During the above recording operation, the photo detector 19 detects also a focusing signal for auto-focusing in addition to the above tracking signal for auto-tracking. Herein, the term "auto-focusing"
means a control for keeping spots correctly focused on the record side surface of the optical card. The principle of the detection of focusing signal will be described in brief with reference to Fig. 8.
In Fig. 8, like reference numerals to Fig. 5 represent the same or corresponding members. The record side surface of the optical card is designated by 21. The incident light 20 to the surface 21 forms the above-mentioned spot S3. The beam 20 obliquely enters the record surface 21 and is reflected as the reflected beam 22.
When the spots are correctly focused on the record surface of the card, the reflected beam 22 enters the mirror 15 travelling in parallel with the incident beam 20, and then the reflected beam is
2~ guided to -the detection surface 23. If the record surface is deviated up or down from the focal plane to a position suggested by 21' or 21", the reflec-ted l~S~S~j~
I beam no longer travels in parallel with the incident beam. The reflected beam enters the mirror 15 as the beam 22' or 22". Consequently, the position at which the reflected beam enters the detection surface 23 is 5 shifted in the direction of y-axis in Fig. 8. There-fore, the light intensity distribution in the direction of y-axis changes accordingly. This change can be detected as the difference in output between the light receiving areas A+B and C+D of the photo detector 19.
From the result of the detection there is obtained a focusing signal. In accordance with the focusing signal the objective lens 14 is moved in the direction along the optical axis. In this manner, the auto-focusing is performed. In this connection it is to be noted that the light intensity of the spots S1 and S3 is so set by the above-mentioned diffraction grating 13 as to be a level far lower than that of the spot S2 (for instance, the level of the former is only 1/5 of the latter). Therefore, the spots Sl and S3 cannot write any record by themselves. The reason for this is that if any information were recorded in the tracking track and/or the clock track, it would disturb the detection of tracking signal and/or clock signal later.
In order to record information in the next record zone 42' the optical system is moved relative to the optical card in the direction of z-axis in lZS~
1 Fig. 4 until the spots S1, S2 and S3 are projec-ted on the tracking track 31~ recording zone 42 and clock track 22 respectively as shown in the lower part of Fig. 7. After that, the spots start scanning the 5 tracking track 31~ record zone 42 and clock track 22.
The photo detector 17 receives the reflected light of the spot S1 to perform the auto-tracking and auto-focusing. The photo detector l9 receives the reflected light from the spot S3 to reproduce the clock signal. The spot S2 writes information in the record zone 42. In this manner, recording is continued.
As readily understood from the above, in the apparatus according to the present invention, two of the three spots are used exclusively for reading tracking track and clock track respectively. This assures problemless auto~tracking. Furthermore, the present invention enables to fully use all of available record zones for recording information by changing over the operation successively in the manner described above.
The recorded information can be reproduced in the same manner as that for recording described above using the same apparatus as used for recording.
Fig. 9 illustrates the manner of reproduction from an optical card on which information has been recorded in the manner described above.
Referring to Fig. 9 the optical card has clock 12SlS~l I tracks 21, 22, ..., tracking track 31 and infor-mation tracks 251, 252, ... between clock track and tracking tracks as previously recorded. Each the information track 25 is composed of a line of record pits.
Assuming that the information recorded in the track 251, is now being read out, the spots S1, S2 and S3 scan the clock track 21, information track 25 and tracking track 31 respectively in the direction of arrow a. The photo detector 17 reproduces the clock signal, the photo detector 19 generates outputs for auto-tracking and auto-focusing and the photo detector 18 reads out the information recorded in the information track 251. During this operation of reproduction, the intensity of the spot S2 is kept at a lower level than the spot intensity used for recording so that any recording cannot be done by the spot S2 during the reproduction. The reduction of spot intensity may be accomplished, for example, by decreasing the output of the light source 11.
When the information in the next information track 252 is reproduced, the spot S1 scans the tracking track 31~ the spot S2 scans the information track 252 and the spot S3 scans the clock track 22 in the direction of arrow a. The photo detector 19 reproduces the clock signal, the photo detecotr 17 generates outputs for auto-tracking and auto-focusing and the 125~5~1 I photo detector 18 reads out information from the information track 252. By shifing the operation from one position to another in this manner, all of the information recorded in the record zones of the optical card can be reproduced correctly.
Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing a concrete form of the signal processing system for processing the signals generated from the above-mentioned photo detectors 17, 18 and 19. In this example, such as optical card is used which contains address signals previously recorded in the record zones one address per track.
Referring to Fig. 10, Ad denotes an address signal and RF does a reproduction signal. The address signal Ad and the reproduction signal RF read out are separated from each other by a separation circuit 50.
In accordance with the address signal Ad, a control circuit 51 controls the closing and opening of switches SWl and SW2. 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 62, 63, 64, 65 and 20 66 designate summing amplifiers. 57,58, 67 and 68 denote subtracting amplifies. C1 to Cg are terminals.
Assuming that information is recorded in the record zone 41~ at first an address signal Ad is read out by the photo detector 18. From the address signal Ad the apparatus judges the position of the tracking track relative to the record zone now to be scanned (whether the tracking track is on the left side or on 1~5~5~1 I the right side of the record zone). In accordance with the judgment, the controller 51 controls the switches SW1 and SW2. In the relative position between the record zone 41 and the tracking track 31 now being discussed, the controller 51 connects the switch SW1 to the terminal C2 and the switch SW2 to the terminal C8. Therefore, the sum of outputs from the sections A, B, C, D of the light-receiving surface of the photo detector 17 is applied to the terminal Cl through l0 summing amplifiers 53, 56, 52 as a clock signal CL, which functions as a reference signal to control the recording by the spot S2 through a processing circuit not shown. On the other hand, the difference between the output of the light-receiving area A+C and the output of the light-receiving area B+D of the photo detector 19 is applied to the terminal C6 through summing amplifiers 63, 66 and subtracting amplifier 68 as a tracking signal AT. This signal AT is transmitted to a tracking servo circuit (not shown) from the terminal C6, At the same time, a focusing signal AF is applied to the terminal C9 through summing amplifiers 64, 65 and subtracting amplifier 67. The focusing signal AF is the difference between the output of the area A+B and the output of the area C+D of the photo detector 19. This signal AF is supplied to a focus servo circuit (not shown) from the terminal Cg.
lZ5~S~;l 1 When information is recorded in the next record zone 42~ the controller connects the switch SW1 to the terminal C3 and SW2 to C7 in response to the change of address signal Ad. Similarly to the above, a tracking signal AT appears at the terminal Cl, a clock signal CL at the terminal C6 and a focusing signal AF at the terminal C4.
The reproduction of the recorded information as shown in Fig. 9 can be performed with the same operation of the apparatus as that for recording. The shift of the positions of operating members is carried out in the same manner as described above for recording. The photo detector 18 reads out a reproduction signal RF.
After separated from the address signal Ad by the separation circuit 50, the reproduction signal RF is taken out from the terminal C5.
In the above embodiment of the recording/
reproducing apparatus according to the invention, the tracking signal can be detected from the tracking track lying on one side or the other side of the recording zone during recording or reproduction, whichever zone it may be. This assures always accurate auto-tracking without being affected by the clock signal. While the embodiment has been shown and described to be a recording/reproducing apparatus, it is to be understood that the above embodiment is also applicable to a recording-only apparatus or to a 12S~5~il l reproducing-only apparatus.
A modification of the above-shown recording/
reproducing apparatus will be hereinafter described with reference to Figs. 11 to 13.
In the modification, the light-receiving surface of the photo detector 18 is divided into four sections A, B, C and D as shown in Fig. 11. Other parts of this modified apparatus correspond to those of the embodiment previously shown in Figs. 4 and 5.
Since the light-receiving surface of the photo detector 18 is divided into four sections as shown in Fig. 11, in this modification, it is possible to detect the tracking signal and focusing signal also from the reflected light of the spot S2. This is an important feature of this modification.
The manner of recording operation of the modified apparatus is entirely the same as that previously described with reference to Fig. 7. But, the manner of reproduction is different from the above.
In this modification, two information tracks are read at the same time during reproduction as shown in Fig.
12.
Referring to Fig. 12, the optical card has clock tracks 21, 22, ..., tracking tracks 31~ 32' and information tracks 25l, 252, ... performed on the record side surface of the card. Each of the infor-mation track 25 is composed of a line of record pits ~S~Stj~
1 recorded between a clock track 2 and a tracking track
I beam no longer travels in parallel with the incident beam. The reflected beam enters the mirror 15 as the beam 22' or 22". Consequently, the position at which the reflected beam enters the detection surface 23 is 5 shifted in the direction of y-axis in Fig. 8. There-fore, the light intensity distribution in the direction of y-axis changes accordingly. This change can be detected as the difference in output between the light receiving areas A+B and C+D of the photo detector 19.
From the result of the detection there is obtained a focusing signal. In accordance with the focusing signal the objective lens 14 is moved in the direction along the optical axis. In this manner, the auto-focusing is performed. In this connection it is to be noted that the light intensity of the spots S1 and S3 is so set by the above-mentioned diffraction grating 13 as to be a level far lower than that of the spot S2 (for instance, the level of the former is only 1/5 of the latter). Therefore, the spots Sl and S3 cannot write any record by themselves. The reason for this is that if any information were recorded in the tracking track and/or the clock track, it would disturb the detection of tracking signal and/or clock signal later.
In order to record information in the next record zone 42' the optical system is moved relative to the optical card in the direction of z-axis in lZS~
1 Fig. 4 until the spots S1, S2 and S3 are projec-ted on the tracking track 31~ recording zone 42 and clock track 22 respectively as shown in the lower part of Fig. 7. After that, the spots start scanning the 5 tracking track 31~ record zone 42 and clock track 22.
The photo detector 17 receives the reflected light of the spot S1 to perform the auto-tracking and auto-focusing. The photo detector l9 receives the reflected light from the spot S3 to reproduce the clock signal. The spot S2 writes information in the record zone 42. In this manner, recording is continued.
As readily understood from the above, in the apparatus according to the present invention, two of the three spots are used exclusively for reading tracking track and clock track respectively. This assures problemless auto~tracking. Furthermore, the present invention enables to fully use all of available record zones for recording information by changing over the operation successively in the manner described above.
The recorded information can be reproduced in the same manner as that for recording described above using the same apparatus as used for recording.
Fig. 9 illustrates the manner of reproduction from an optical card on which information has been recorded in the manner described above.
Referring to Fig. 9 the optical card has clock 12SlS~l I tracks 21, 22, ..., tracking track 31 and infor-mation tracks 251, 252, ... between clock track and tracking tracks as previously recorded. Each the information track 25 is composed of a line of record pits.
Assuming that the information recorded in the track 251, is now being read out, the spots S1, S2 and S3 scan the clock track 21, information track 25 and tracking track 31 respectively in the direction of arrow a. The photo detector 17 reproduces the clock signal, the photo detector 19 generates outputs for auto-tracking and auto-focusing and the photo detector 18 reads out the information recorded in the information track 251. During this operation of reproduction, the intensity of the spot S2 is kept at a lower level than the spot intensity used for recording so that any recording cannot be done by the spot S2 during the reproduction. The reduction of spot intensity may be accomplished, for example, by decreasing the output of the light source 11.
When the information in the next information track 252 is reproduced, the spot S1 scans the tracking track 31~ the spot S2 scans the information track 252 and the spot S3 scans the clock track 22 in the direction of arrow a. The photo detector 19 reproduces the clock signal, the photo detecotr 17 generates outputs for auto-tracking and auto-focusing and the 125~5~1 I photo detector 18 reads out information from the information track 252. By shifing the operation from one position to another in this manner, all of the information recorded in the record zones of the optical card can be reproduced correctly.
Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing a concrete form of the signal processing system for processing the signals generated from the above-mentioned photo detectors 17, 18 and 19. In this example, such as optical card is used which contains address signals previously recorded in the record zones one address per track.
Referring to Fig. 10, Ad denotes an address signal and RF does a reproduction signal. The address signal Ad and the reproduction signal RF read out are separated from each other by a separation circuit 50.
In accordance with the address signal Ad, a control circuit 51 controls the closing and opening of switches SWl and SW2. 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 62, 63, 64, 65 and 20 66 designate summing amplifiers. 57,58, 67 and 68 denote subtracting amplifies. C1 to Cg are terminals.
Assuming that information is recorded in the record zone 41~ at first an address signal Ad is read out by the photo detector 18. From the address signal Ad the apparatus judges the position of the tracking track relative to the record zone now to be scanned (whether the tracking track is on the left side or on 1~5~5~1 I the right side of the record zone). In accordance with the judgment, the controller 51 controls the switches SW1 and SW2. In the relative position between the record zone 41 and the tracking track 31 now being discussed, the controller 51 connects the switch SW1 to the terminal C2 and the switch SW2 to the terminal C8. Therefore, the sum of outputs from the sections A, B, C, D of the light-receiving surface of the photo detector 17 is applied to the terminal Cl through l0 summing amplifiers 53, 56, 52 as a clock signal CL, which functions as a reference signal to control the recording by the spot S2 through a processing circuit not shown. On the other hand, the difference between the output of the light-receiving area A+C and the output of the light-receiving area B+D of the photo detector 19 is applied to the terminal C6 through summing amplifiers 63, 66 and subtracting amplifier 68 as a tracking signal AT. This signal AT is transmitted to a tracking servo circuit (not shown) from the terminal C6, At the same time, a focusing signal AF is applied to the terminal C9 through summing amplifiers 64, 65 and subtracting amplifier 67. The focusing signal AF is the difference between the output of the area A+B and the output of the area C+D of the photo detector 19. This signal AF is supplied to a focus servo circuit (not shown) from the terminal Cg.
lZ5~S~;l 1 When information is recorded in the next record zone 42~ the controller connects the switch SW1 to the terminal C3 and SW2 to C7 in response to the change of address signal Ad. Similarly to the above, a tracking signal AT appears at the terminal Cl, a clock signal CL at the terminal C6 and a focusing signal AF at the terminal C4.
The reproduction of the recorded information as shown in Fig. 9 can be performed with the same operation of the apparatus as that for recording. The shift of the positions of operating members is carried out in the same manner as described above for recording. The photo detector 18 reads out a reproduction signal RF.
After separated from the address signal Ad by the separation circuit 50, the reproduction signal RF is taken out from the terminal C5.
In the above embodiment of the recording/
reproducing apparatus according to the invention, the tracking signal can be detected from the tracking track lying on one side or the other side of the recording zone during recording or reproduction, whichever zone it may be. This assures always accurate auto-tracking without being affected by the clock signal. While the embodiment has been shown and described to be a recording/reproducing apparatus, it is to be understood that the above embodiment is also applicable to a recording-only apparatus or to a 12S~5~il l reproducing-only apparatus.
A modification of the above-shown recording/
reproducing apparatus will be hereinafter described with reference to Figs. 11 to 13.
In the modification, the light-receiving surface of the photo detector 18 is divided into four sections A, B, C and D as shown in Fig. 11. Other parts of this modified apparatus correspond to those of the embodiment previously shown in Figs. 4 and 5.
Since the light-receiving surface of the photo detector 18 is divided into four sections as shown in Fig. 11, in this modification, it is possible to detect the tracking signal and focusing signal also from the reflected light of the spot S2. This is an important feature of this modification.
The manner of recording operation of the modified apparatus is entirely the same as that previously described with reference to Fig. 7. But, the manner of reproduction is different from the above.
In this modification, two information tracks are read at the same time during reproduction as shown in Fig.
12.
Referring to Fig. 12, the optical card has clock tracks 21, 22, ..., tracking tracks 31~ 32' and information tracks 25l, 252, ... performed on the record side surface of the card. Each of the infor-mation track 25 is composed of a line of record pits ~S~Stj~
1 recorded between a clock track 2 and a tracking track
3. The first spot S1 scans the information -track 251, the second spot S2 does the tracking track 31 and the third spot S3 scans the information track 252 in the direction of arrow _. The photo detectors 17 and 19 read out information from the information tracks 251 and 252 at the same time while the photo detector 18 detects signals for auto-tracking and auto-focusing.
By repeating this reproducing operation from the first track to the last one of the optical card, all the information recorded in the card can be reproduced at twice higher speed than the recording speed. In this operation of reproduction it is impossible to obtain a clock signal from the clock track. However, this brings about practically no problem because, during the reproduction, it is possible to take up a clock from the signal recorded in the information track itself (so-called self-clock).
Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing a concrete form of the system for processing the signals generated from the three photo detectors 17, 18, 19 shown in Fig.
11 .
In Fig. 13, the reference numeral 5~ denotes again a control circuit for controlling the closing and opening of switches SWl and SW2. 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 69, 70, 71 and 72 are all summing amplifiers. 57, 58, 67, 68, 73 and 74 are subtracting 12S15~1 I amplifiers. C1 to C11 are terminals.
For recording information in the record zone 41 as shown in Fig. 7, the controller 51 connects the switch SW1 to the terminal C2 and SW2 to C8 in accordance with the recording mode. Therefore, the sum of the outputs from the four light-receiving surface sections A, B, C and D of the photo detector 17 is applied to the terminal C1 through the summing amplifiers 53, 56, 52 as a clock signal CL. The clock signal CL functions as a reference signal to control the recording by the spot S2 through a processing circuit not shown. Applied to the terminal C6 is a tracking signal AT which is the difference between the output of A+C and the output of B+D of the pho-to detector 19 through summing amplifiers 63, 64 and subtracting amplifier 68. This signal AT is supplied to a tracking servo circuit (not shown) from the terminal C6.
At the same time, a focusing signal AF is applied to the terminal Cg through summing amplifiers 64, 65 and subtracting amplifier 67. The focusing signal is the difference between the output of A+B and the output of C+D of the photo detector 19. This signal AF is transmitted to a focus servo circuit (not shown) from the terminal Cg.
When information is recorded in the next record zone 42' the controller 51 connects the switch 12~
1 SW1 to the terminal C3 and SW2 to C7. Similarly to the above, a tracking signal AT appears at the terminal C1, a clock signal CL at C6 and a focusing signal AF
at C4.
In order to actuate the controller to change over the switches, an address signal may be pre-recorded in the record zone for every track. In this case, the photo detector 18 reads out the address signal and transmits it to the controller 51. From the address signal, the controller judges the positional relation between the tracking track and the record zone now to be scanned (whether the tracking track is on the left side or on the right side of the record track). In accordance with the judgment, the controller changes over the switches.
When a reproduction of the recorded information is to be carried out in the manner as illustrated in Fig. 12, a mode changeover signal is inputted externally. In response to the signal informing of reproduction mode, the control circuit 51 connects the switch SW1 to the terminal C2 and SW2 to C7.
Consequently, the difference between the output of A+C and the output of B+D of the photo detector 18 is applied to the terminal C10 through summing amplifiers 69, 70 and subtracting amplifier 73 as a tracking signal AT. This signal AT is supplied to a tracking servo circuit (not shown) from the LS~i I terminal C10. Also, the difference between the output of A+B and -the output of C+D of the photo detector 18 is applied to the terminal C11 through summing amplifiers 71, 72 and subtracting amplifier 74 as a focusing signal AF. This signal AF is supplied to a focus servo circuit (not shown) from the terminal C11. Reproduction signals read out by the photo detectors 17 and 19 are picked up from the terminals Cl and C6 respectively.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various modifica-tions may be made therein. For example, the address signal for actuating the changeover as described in connection with the embodiment shown in Fig. 10 or Fig. 13 may be used also to inform the photo detector of whether the track now being scanned is tracking track or clock track. Further, to detect the tracking signal and the focusing signal there may be used various other detection methods than that shown in the above embodiments. The focusing signal may be detected also by the photo detector used to detect the recording/reproducing spot. In this case, the method of detecting the focusing signal may be the same as used in the above embodiments or any other suitable method such as the so-called astigmatism method.
Further, in this case, the remaining two photo 5~
I detectors may be two-division type photo sensors of which one is used to detect the clock signal only and the other to detect the tracking signal only.
By repeating this reproducing operation from the first track to the last one of the optical card, all the information recorded in the card can be reproduced at twice higher speed than the recording speed. In this operation of reproduction it is impossible to obtain a clock signal from the clock track. However, this brings about practically no problem because, during the reproduction, it is possible to take up a clock from the signal recorded in the information track itself (so-called self-clock).
Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing a concrete form of the system for processing the signals generated from the three photo detectors 17, 18, 19 shown in Fig.
11 .
In Fig. 13, the reference numeral 5~ denotes again a control circuit for controlling the closing and opening of switches SWl and SW2. 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 69, 70, 71 and 72 are all summing amplifiers. 57, 58, 67, 68, 73 and 74 are subtracting 12S15~1 I amplifiers. C1 to C11 are terminals.
For recording information in the record zone 41 as shown in Fig. 7, the controller 51 connects the switch SW1 to the terminal C2 and SW2 to C8 in accordance with the recording mode. Therefore, the sum of the outputs from the four light-receiving surface sections A, B, C and D of the photo detector 17 is applied to the terminal C1 through the summing amplifiers 53, 56, 52 as a clock signal CL. The clock signal CL functions as a reference signal to control the recording by the spot S2 through a processing circuit not shown. Applied to the terminal C6 is a tracking signal AT which is the difference between the output of A+C and the output of B+D of the pho-to detector 19 through summing amplifiers 63, 64 and subtracting amplifier 68. This signal AT is supplied to a tracking servo circuit (not shown) from the terminal C6.
At the same time, a focusing signal AF is applied to the terminal Cg through summing amplifiers 64, 65 and subtracting amplifier 67. The focusing signal is the difference between the output of A+B and the output of C+D of the photo detector 19. This signal AF is transmitted to a focus servo circuit (not shown) from the terminal Cg.
When information is recorded in the next record zone 42' the controller 51 connects the switch 12~
1 SW1 to the terminal C3 and SW2 to C7. Similarly to the above, a tracking signal AT appears at the terminal C1, a clock signal CL at C6 and a focusing signal AF
at C4.
In order to actuate the controller to change over the switches, an address signal may be pre-recorded in the record zone for every track. In this case, the photo detector 18 reads out the address signal and transmits it to the controller 51. From the address signal, the controller judges the positional relation between the tracking track and the record zone now to be scanned (whether the tracking track is on the left side or on the right side of the record track). In accordance with the judgment, the controller changes over the switches.
When a reproduction of the recorded information is to be carried out in the manner as illustrated in Fig. 12, a mode changeover signal is inputted externally. In response to the signal informing of reproduction mode, the control circuit 51 connects the switch SW1 to the terminal C2 and SW2 to C7.
Consequently, the difference between the output of A+C and the output of B+D of the photo detector 18 is applied to the terminal C10 through summing amplifiers 69, 70 and subtracting amplifier 73 as a tracking signal AT. This signal AT is supplied to a tracking servo circuit (not shown) from the LS~i I terminal C10. Also, the difference between the output of A+B and -the output of C+D of the photo detector 18 is applied to the terminal C11 through summing amplifiers 71, 72 and subtracting amplifier 74 as a focusing signal AF. This signal AF is supplied to a focus servo circuit (not shown) from the terminal C11. Reproduction signals read out by the photo detectors 17 and 19 are picked up from the terminals Cl and C6 respectively.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various modifica-tions may be made therein. For example, the address signal for actuating the changeover as described in connection with the embodiment shown in Fig. 10 or Fig. 13 may be used also to inform the photo detector of whether the track now being scanned is tracking track or clock track. Further, to detect the tracking signal and the focusing signal there may be used various other detection methods than that shown in the above embodiments. The focusing signal may be detected also by the photo detector used to detect the recording/reproducing spot. In this case, the method of detecting the focusing signal may be the same as used in the above embodiments or any other suitable method such as the so-called astigmatism method.
Further, in this case, the remaining two photo 5~
I detectors may be two-division type photo sensors of which one is used to detect the clock signal only and the other to detect the tracking signal only.
Claims (19)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A card-shaped optical information recording medium comprising:
tracking tracks for producing a tracking signal, said tracking tracks each being formed as an unbroken line;
clock tracks for producing a clock signal, at least a portion of each of said clock tracks being formed as a line intermittently broken at constant periods, and each of said tracking tracks and each of said clock tracks being alternately provided; and record zones in which information is to be recorded, said record zones each being provided between each of said tracking tracks and each of said clock tracks so that only one of each of said tracking tracks and each of said clock tracks is alternately positioned between two adjacent record zones.
tracking tracks for producing a tracking signal, said tracking tracks each being formed as an unbroken line;
clock tracks for producing a clock signal, at least a portion of each of said clock tracks being formed as a line intermittently broken at constant periods, and each of said tracking tracks and each of said clock tracks being alternately provided; and record zones in which information is to be recorded, said record zones each being provided between each of said tracking tracks and each of said clock tracks so that only one of each of said tracking tracks and each of said clock tracks is alternately positioned between two adjacent record zones.
2. A recording medium according to Claim 1, wherein said tracking tracks and clock tracks are arranged alternately at constant intervals.
3. Apparatus for recording or reproducing information on or from a card-shaped optical information recording medium comprising tracking tracks and clock tracks arranged alternately and record zones for recording information between each of the tracking tracks and each of the clock tracks, said apparatus comprising:
means for forming at least three beam spots on said recording medium;
means for projecting a first one of said beam spots on the record zone to record or reproduce information;
tracking signal detection means for projecting one of second and third ones of said beam spots on the tracking track to detect the tracking signal;
means for changing over said tracking signal detection means in accordance with the positional relation between said projected record zone and the tracking track so as to obtain the tracking signal from the other one of said second and third spots; and clock signal detection means for projecting the remaining spot of the second and third spots, which is not projected on said tracking track, on the clock track to detect the clock signal.
means for forming at least three beam spots on said recording medium;
means for projecting a first one of said beam spots on the record zone to record or reproduce information;
tracking signal detection means for projecting one of second and third ones of said beam spots on the tracking track to detect the tracking signal;
means for changing over said tracking signal detection means in accordance with the positional relation between said projected record zone and the tracking track so as to obtain the tracking signal from the other one of said second and third spots; and clock signal detection means for projecting the remaining spot of the second and third spots, which is not projected on said tracking track, on the clock track to detect the clock signal.
4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein said apparatus further comprises means for detecting a focusing signal from one of the second and third spots.
5. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein said beam spot forming means comprises a light source, a grating for splitting the beam emitted from said light source and a condenser lens for focusing said split beams on the recording medium.
6. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein said tracking signal detection means and clock signal detection means are constituted of two photo detectors disposed to receive the lights from the second and third spots respectively.
7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein said photo detector has a light-receiving surface divided into two areas by a dividing line parallel to the direction along the length of said tracking track and wherein said tracking signal is derived from the difference between the detected signals by said two areas.
8. Apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein said changeover means comprises a switch through which any one of said two photo detectors is selectively connected to tracking control means.
9. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the light intensity of the second and third beam spots is lower than that of the first beam spot.
10. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein said recording or reproducing means includes a photo detector disposed to receive the light from the first beam spot.
11. Apparatus for recording and reproducing information using a card-shaped optical information recording medium comprising tracking tracks and clock tracks arranged alternately and record zones for recording information between each of the tracking tracks and each of the clock tracks said apparatus characterized in that at least three beam spots are formed on the recording medium; said beam spots are projected on the record zone, tracking track and clock track respectively at the time of recording to write information in said record zone while detecting a tracking signal and a clock signal; and said beam spots are projected on the tracking track and two or more record zones respectively at the time of reproduction to simultaneously read out the recorded information in said record zones while detecting the tracking signal.
12. Apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein at the time of recording, information is written in by a first one of said beam spots while detecting the tracking signal and clock signal by second and third spots, and at the time of reproduction, information is read out by the second and third spots while detecting the tracking signal by the first spot.
13. Apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein said apparatus comprises means for forming at least three beam spots on the recording medium; means for detecting the tracking signal from any one of said first, second and third spots; and means for changing over the spot for the detection of the tracking signal from one to another in accordance with the positional relation between the projected record zone and the tracking track.
14. Apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein said beam spot forming means comprises a light source, a grating for splitting the beam emitted from said light source and a condenser lens for focusing said split beams on the recording medium.
15. Apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein said tracking signal detection means comprises three photo detectors disposed to receive the lights from the first, second and third spots respectively.
16. Apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein said photo detector has a light-receiving surface divided into two areas by a dividing line parallel to the direction along the length of the tracking track and said tracking signal is derived from the difference between the detected signals by said two areas.
17. Apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein said changeover means includes a switch through which any one of the photo detectors disposed to receive the lights from the second and third spots is selectively connected to tracking control means.
18. Apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein the light intensity of the second and third spots is lower than that of the first spot.
19. Apparatus according to Claim 13, wherein said apparatus further comprises means for detecting a focusing signal from any one of the first, second and third spots.
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP276942/1984 | 1984-12-26 | ||
| JP59276942A JPS61151792A (en) | 1984-12-26 | 1984-12-26 | Optical information recording media |
| JP59275760A JPS61153834A (en) | 1984-12-27 | 1984-12-27 | Optical information recording and reproducing device |
| JP275760/1984 | 1984-12-27 | ||
| JP59276991A JPS61158041A (en) | 1984-12-28 | 1984-12-28 | Optical information recording and reproducing device |
| JP276991/1984 | 1984-12-28 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1251561A true CA1251561A (en) | 1989-03-21 |
Family
ID=27336293
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000498287A Expired CA1251561A (en) | 1984-12-26 | 1985-12-20 | Optical information recording medium and apparatus for recording/reproducing information using the same |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4787075A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1251561A (en) |
| CH (1) | CH670526A5 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3545996A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2575568A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2170632B (en) |
Families Citing this family (45)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA1258909A (en) * | 1985-03-29 | 1989-08-29 | Hideki Hosoya | Optical information recording medium and method for recording information on said medium and reproducing information therefrom |
| JP2574752B2 (en) * | 1986-01-22 | 1997-01-22 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Information recording medium and recording / reproducing method |
| US4817067A (en) * | 1986-01-27 | 1989-03-28 | Csk Corporation | Optical recording medium |
| EP0239131A3 (en) * | 1986-03-28 | 1989-05-24 | Csk Corporation | Optical recording medium and tracking method therefor |
| CA1295734C (en) * | 1986-04-09 | 1992-02-11 | Kiyonobu Endo | Optical recording medium with tracking tracks arranged with a constant pitch and a method for detecting tracking signal from said medium |
| DE3776183D1 (en) * | 1986-04-09 | 1992-03-05 | Canon Kk | OPTICAL INFORMATION MEDIUM AND DEVICE FOR REPRESENTING INFORMATION FROM, AND / OR RECORDING INFORMATION ON SUCH A MEDIUM. |
| JPH06101125B2 (en) * | 1986-05-21 | 1994-12-12 | キヤノン株式会社 | Optical information recording / reproducing device |
| US5179267A (en) * | 1986-05-23 | 1993-01-12 | Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. | Data reading and/or writing apparatus of type using optical card |
| US4918415A (en) * | 1986-05-23 | 1990-04-17 | Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. | Data reading and/or writing apparatus for use with an optical card |
| JPS63153743A (en) * | 1986-07-10 | 1988-06-27 | Hitachi Maxell Ltd | Optical information recording medium and its production |
| US4730293A (en) * | 1986-09-15 | 1988-03-08 | Drexler Technology Corporation | Dual beam optical data system |
| GB2199684B (en) * | 1986-10-13 | 1991-06-19 | Olympus Optical Co | Optical recording apparatus and methods of recording items of data on an optical recording medium using such apparatus |
| JPS63104225A (en) * | 1986-10-21 | 1988-05-09 | Csk Corp | Tracking system for optical recording medium |
| US4982391A (en) * | 1987-02-20 | 1991-01-01 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Method and apparatus for accessing a desired track of a recording medium during a stopped state of recording or reproduction |
| JP2550051B2 (en) * | 1987-02-25 | 1996-10-30 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Optical card, optical card recording / reproducing method, and optical card recording / reproducing apparatus |
| JP2619381B2 (en) * | 1987-03-20 | 1997-06-11 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Optical information reproducing device |
| DE3804701A1 (en) * | 1987-03-20 | 1988-09-29 | Hitachi Ltd | MULTIPLE-LIGHT SPOT CONTROL DEVICE |
| JPS63311630A (en) * | 1987-06-12 | 1988-12-20 | Csk Corp | Photodetector for card type optical recording medium |
| US5027339A (en) * | 1987-08-06 | 1991-06-25 | Omron Tateisi Electronics Company | Optical card analyzing apparatus |
| US4982074A (en) * | 1987-08-11 | 1991-01-01 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Method of recording position information of last track recorded with data in directory area |
| JPH01125732A (en) * | 1987-10-23 | 1989-05-18 | Nippon Conlux Co Ltd | Method and device for recording and reproducing information |
| JP2649231B2 (en) * | 1987-11-20 | 1997-09-03 | 株式会社 日本コンラックス | Optical information reproducing device |
| US5267226A (en) * | 1987-12-03 | 1993-11-30 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Optical information recording and reproducing apparatus with switchable spot-functions |
| US5155718A (en) * | 1988-01-25 | 1992-10-13 | Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. | Optical record medium reading apparatus having a de-focussed light beam projected on an optical record medium |
| JP2583273B2 (en) * | 1988-04-04 | 1997-02-19 | 株式会社日本コンラックス | Optical information recording / reproducing method and apparatus |
| JPH01269240A (en) * | 1988-04-20 | 1989-10-26 | Csk Corp | Optical recording device |
| US5389523A (en) * | 1988-05-31 | 1995-02-14 | The United States Of Americas, As Represented By The Secretary Of Commerce | Liposome immunoanalysis by flow injection assay |
| JPH02166673A (en) * | 1988-12-20 | 1990-06-27 | Csk Corp | Optical recording medium |
| DE69025209T2 (en) * | 1989-02-13 | 1996-11-14 | Omron Tateisi Electronics Co | Optical card recording / playback device |
| JPH0354733A (en) * | 1989-07-21 | 1991-03-08 | Sony Corp | Optical recording and/or reproducing device |
| JPH03116567A (en) * | 1989-09-29 | 1991-05-17 | Canon Inc | Magneto-optical information reproducing device |
| US5184003A (en) * | 1989-12-04 | 1993-02-02 | National Computer Systems, Inc. | Scannable form having a control mark column with encoded data marks |
| WO1991008550A1 (en) * | 1989-12-04 | 1991-06-13 | National Computer Systems, Inc. | Scannable form having a control mark column with encoded data marks |
| JPH03201266A (en) * | 1989-12-27 | 1991-09-03 | Victor Co Of Japan Ltd | Draw type information recording medium and its recording device |
| JP2923331B2 (en) * | 1990-06-12 | 1999-07-26 | オリンパス光学工業株式会社 | Optical recording medium and reproducing apparatus therefor |
| US5412636A (en) * | 1991-03-22 | 1995-05-02 | Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. | Apparatus for servo-controlling objective lens in recording and/or reproducing apparatus using optical record medium |
| JPH0676314A (en) * | 1992-08-31 | 1994-03-18 | Olympus Optical Co Ltd | Optical information reproducing device |
| US5511051A (en) * | 1992-08-31 | 1996-04-23 | Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. | Optical recording/reproducing apparatus capable of multi-track access for simultaneous multirack recording/reproduction |
| US5402399A (en) * | 1992-08-31 | 1995-03-28 | Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. | Apparatus and method for reproducing information data from optical cards |
| US5283775A (en) * | 1992-12-14 | 1994-02-01 | International Business Machines, Inc. | Split detector system for direct read-while-write operation on magneto-optic media |
| JPH0845107A (en) * | 1994-08-01 | 1996-02-16 | Oki Electric Ind Co Ltd | Optical recording and reproducing device and medium for information recording |
| JPH1064081A (en) * | 1996-08-15 | 1998-03-06 | Nippon Conlux Co Ltd | Method and device for controlling tracking of optical memory card |
| FR2770009B1 (en) * | 1997-10-17 | 2001-10-19 | Imprimerie Nationale | MATRIX RECOGNITION AND MARKING SYSTEM FOR AUTHENTICATION OF OBJECTS LIKELY TO BE COUNTERFEIT |
| JP3362768B2 (en) * | 1998-02-19 | 2003-01-07 | 株式会社ケンウッド | Optical pickup device |
| JP3298547B2 (en) * | 1999-03-30 | 2002-07-02 | ヤマハ株式会社 | Optical disk recording device |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3438050A (en) * | 1965-01-06 | 1969-04-08 | Itek Corp | Laser data recorder |
| DE2543276A1 (en) * | 1975-09-27 | 1977-03-31 | Licentia Gmbh | Reproduction system for data carried on tapes - has monochromatic light source and pick-up units for optical signals to be converted to audio output |
| CH612524A5 (en) * | 1976-12-28 | 1979-07-31 | Gretag Ag | Identification card with optically retrievable information stored in three-dimensional form |
| US4337534A (en) * | 1979-04-18 | 1982-06-29 | Discovision Associates | Solid state electro-optical track follower array |
| US4290122A (en) * | 1979-05-14 | 1981-09-15 | Xerox Corporation | Self-synchronizing clock source for optical memories |
| US4443870A (en) * | 1981-10-15 | 1984-04-17 | Burroughs Corporation | Optical memory system providing track following |
| US4598393A (en) * | 1984-04-06 | 1986-07-01 | Drexler Technology Corporation | Three-beam optical servo tracking system with two-track parallel readout |
| US4598196A (en) * | 1984-07-10 | 1986-07-01 | Drexler Technology Corporation | Debit card |
-
1985
- 1985-12-19 US US06/810,747 patent/US4787075A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1985-12-20 CA CA000498287A patent/CA1251561A/en not_active Expired
- 1985-12-23 DE DE19853545996 patent/DE3545996A1/en active Granted
- 1985-12-23 FR FR8519046A patent/FR2575568A1/en active Pending
- 1985-12-23 GB GB08531676A patent/GB2170632B/en not_active Expired
- 1985-12-30 CH CH5553/85A patent/CH670526A5/de not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2575568A1 (en) | 1986-07-04 |
| GB2170632A (en) | 1986-08-06 |
| DE3545996C2 (en) | 1989-08-31 |
| GB2170632B (en) | 1989-01-25 |
| DE3545996A1 (en) | 1986-07-03 |
| CH670526A5 (en) | 1989-06-15 |
| US4787075A (en) | 1988-11-22 |
| GB8531676D0 (en) | 1986-02-05 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA1251561A (en) | Optical information recording medium and apparatus for recording/reproducing information using the same | |
| EP0313394B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for recording and reproducing information | |
| CA1258909A (en) | Optical information recording medium and method for recording information on said medium and reproducing information therefrom | |
| JP2550051B2 (en) | Optical card, optical card recording / reproducing method, and optical card recording / reproducing apparatus | |
| US5038332A (en) | Optical information recording medium including an optically detectable mark representing a boundary between the recording and non-recording areas | |
| CA1295734C (en) | Optical recording medium with tracking tracks arranged with a constant pitch and a method for detecting tracking signal from said medium | |
| JPH0582659B2 (en) | ||
| JPH0517612B2 (en) | ||
| JP2685637B2 (en) | Optical information recording / reproducing device | |
| JP2728418B2 (en) | Information recording / reproducing device | |
| JPS6355783A (en) | Information recording medium | |
| US5144608A (en) | Apparatus for recording and reproducing information on and from a recording medium having a reference position mark | |
| EP0383562B1 (en) | Optical information recording and/or reproducing apparatus with device for prohibiting movement of optical head | |
| JPS6257126A (en) | Optical information recording medium | |
| JP3031655B2 (en) | Recorded signal detection device | |
| JP2728206B2 (en) | Information recording / reproducing device | |
| JP3066533B2 (en) | Optical information recording / reproducing device | |
| JPH0721940B2 (en) | Information recording / reproducing device | |
| JPS62239344A (en) | Optical information recording medium | |
| JPS6262436A (en) | Optical information recording and reproducing device | |
| JPS61243972A (en) | Optical information recording medium | |
| JPS61224147A (en) | Optical recording and reproducing method | |
| JPS61243969A (en) | Optical information recording medium | |
| JPS61243970A (en) | Optical information recording medium | |
| JPS63244319A (en) | Optical information recording medium |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |