JPH05334786A - Recording and/or reproducing device for disk shaped recording medium and cartridge for recording and/or reproducing device for disk shaped recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To mecanically discriminate whether a disk housed in a cartridge is, for example, a read-only disk or a general disk. CONSTITUTION:A projection 6 is disposed at the side surface of a holder in the cartridge 3A in which the read-only disk is housed, and the projection 6 is not disposed at the side surface of a holder in a cartridge in which the general disk is housed. Then, a hole is disposed at a position opposed to the prejection 6 of the cartridge 3A when the cartridge 3A is inserted in the holder, in the cartridge holder of one recording and reproducing device (a type capable of electrically discriminating the read-only disk and the general disk). The hole is not disposed at another recording and reproducing device (a type not capable of electrically discriminating the read-only disk and the general disk).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device having the same size.
It has a cartridge holder into which a first cartridge and a second cartridge in which disc-shaped recording media of different types are rotatably accommodated are selectively inserted, and recording and / or reproduction can be performed on two types of recording media. In some cases, it is possible to mount both cartridges, and if recording and / or reproduction can be performed only on the recording medium in the second cartridge, the first
The present invention relates to a recording and / or reproducing apparatus for a disc-shaped recording medium capable of mechanically prohibiting the mounting of the cartridge and a cartridge used for the recording and / or reproducing apparatus for the disc-shaped recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, as a disc-shaped recording medium, a read-only optical recording medium (generally referred to as a CD-ROM), a rewritable optical recording medium, or other optical recording or magnetic field modulation is possible. Various magneto-optical recording media have been proposed, and CD-ROMs and magneto-optical recording media are now in practical use.

Here, a magneto-optical recording medium (hereinafter referred to as a magneto-optical disk) will be referred to as an example. And
Commercialization is in progress to handle this magneto-optical disk as a read-only optical recording medium (hereinafter, simply referred to as an optical disk). This is to write software information such as music on a magneto-optical disk in advance and sell it like a conventional optical disk.

In this commercialization, a conventional magneto-optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus is used as a magneto-optical disk in which soft information such as music is recorded in advance and is used as a read-only disk, or is generally used. It is necessary to devise to distinguish whether it is a proper magneto-optical disk. Because if the recording / reproducing apparatus is not provided with this distinguishing means,
This is because, due to an operation error or the like, writing is erroneously performed on the read-only magneto-optical disk to destroy the information recorded on the magneto-optical disk.

Therefore, at present, an area (system area) for recording the attributes of the magneto-optical disk itself is provided in a part of the writing area of the magneto-optical disk, and the disk is a read-only disk or a general disk in advance in this system area. Information for discriminating whether the disc is a physical disc or not is recorded. In the recording / reproducing apparatus, first, the above information is read out by the optical head, and the above information from the optical head is arithmetically processed by the CPU, arithmetic processing circuit or the like. A method of electrically discriminating whether a magneto-optical disk inserted in a recording / reproducing apparatus is a read-only disk or a general disk has been proposed. When it is determined that the magneto-optical disk inserted in the recording / reproducing apparatus is read-only, the writing operation and the erasing operation with respect to the magneto-optical disk are not performed even if there is an operation error.

[0006]

However, when the above discrimination method is adopted, a new electric discrimination means such as a memory or an arithmetic circuit is required, which may lead to a complicated structure and a large size. .. When the magneto-optical disk is simply used as a substitute for the external storage device, it is preferable that the structure of the drive device be as simple as possible. This is because personal computers incorporating a drive device for an external storage device are being miniaturized at present, but in order to promote further miniaturization, simplification of the structure of the drive device and miniaturization are key points. Because it is becoming.

Therefore, when a magneto-optical disk is used as an external storage device of a computer, a read-only disk or a general-purpose disk can be used by utilizing a conventional mechanical loading mechanism without providing the above-mentioned electrical discriminating means. It is preferable to be able to determine whether the disc is a physical disc. However, at present, there is no such discriminating mechanism, and it is the current situation that all the driving devices have no choice but to incorporate electrical discriminating means.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to store a cartridge in a cartridge holder by using a conventional mechanical loading mechanism. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording and / or reproducing apparatus for a disc-shaped recording medium capable of mechanically discriminating whether the disc-shaped recording medium is a read-only disc or a general disc.

In addition, in a type in which the disc-shaped recording medium housed in the cartridge can be electrically discriminated from, for example, a read-only disc or a general disc, the disc can be mounted without distinction, and the disc can be mounted electrically. In the case of the indistinguishable type, it is an object of the present invention to provide a recording and / or reproducing apparatus for a disk-shaped recording medium that can prevent a read-only disc from being mechanically mounted.

Further, according to the present invention, a recording and / or reproducing apparatus for a disc-shaped recording medium for writing information regardless of the type of the disc-shaped recording medium is provided with a disc-shaped recording medium for which it is desired to prohibit the writing of information. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cartridge used in a recording and / or reproducing apparatus for a disk-shaped recording medium, which can mechanically make it impossible to mount the contained cartridge.

[0011]

According to the present invention, two kinds of disk-shaped recording media 1A and 1B having the same size are rotatably housed and shutters 4A and 4B are openably and closably provided. In the recording and / or reproducing apparatus 2A and 2B for the disc-shaped recording medium having the cartridge holders 7A and 7B into which the second cartridges 3A and 3B are selectively inserted, as shown in FIG. Among the cartridges 3A and 3B, the protrusion 6 is provided only on the end surface of the first cartridge 3A on the holder side, and recording and / or recording are performed on the two types of disc-shaped recording media 1A and 1B in the first and second cartridges 3A and 3B. Alternatively, when reproduction is possible, as shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge holder 7A faces the protrusion 6 of the first cartridge 3A. In the case where a hole 9 through which the protrusion 6 is inserted is provided at the position and recording and / or reproduction can be performed only on the disk-shaped recording medium 1B in the second cartridge 3B, as shown in FIG. The cartridge holder 7B is configured without the hole 9 described above.

Further, according to the present invention, first and second cartridges in which two kinds of disk-shaped recording media 1A and 1B having the same size are rotatably housed and shutters 4A and 4B are openably and closably provided. In a recording and / or reproducing apparatus 2A and 2B for a disc-shaped recording medium, which has cartridge holders 7A and 7B into which 3A and 3B are selectively inserted, first and second cartridges 3A and 3
In the case where the notches 5a and 5b are formed on the side surface of B to enable recording and / or reproduction on the two types of disc-shaped recording media 1A and 1B in the first and second cartridges 3A and 3B, As shown in FIG. 13, a lock mechanism 10 is rotatably attached to a lever 13 that enters the notch 5a or 5b, and is provided only for the disc-shaped recording medium 1B in the second cartridge 3B. When recording and / or reproduction is possible, as shown in FIG. 14, the second cartridge 3B is used.
The lock mechanism 10 is provided with a lever 13 rotatably attached to the lever 13 which can enter the notches 5a and 5b and which cannot enter the notches 5a and 5b of the first cartridge 3A.

In this case, for example, as shown in FIG.
Notches 5a and 5b are formed on both side surfaces of the first and second cartridges 3A and 3B, respectively, and lever entry preventing means (projections 41a and 41b) are formed in the notches 5a and 5b of the first cartridge 3A. To do. And the first
In the case where recording and / or reproduction can be performed on the two types of disc-shaped recording media 1A and 1B in the second cartridges 3A and 3B, as shown in FIG.
A lock mechanism 10 is rotatably attached to a lever 13 that enters into the notch 5a or 5b of the first and second cartridges 3A and 3B, and is provided for the disc-shaped recording medium 1B of the second cartridge 3B. When recording and / or reproduction is possible only by the first cartridge 3A, the first cartridge 3A can enter the notches 5a and 5b of the second cartridge 3B as shown in FIG.
In the notches 5a and 5b of the lever, the lever entry preventing means 41
The lock mechanism 10 is provided with a lever 13 rotatably attached to the lever 13 which is prevented from entering by a or 41b.

The present invention also relates to the cartridge holder 7A.
(Or 7B) is inserted into the cartridge holder 7A (or 7B) of the recording and / or reproducing apparatus 2A (or 2B) for the disc-shaped recording medium having the disk-shaped recording medium 1A therein. In the cartridge 3A used in the recording and / or reproducing apparatus 2A for the disk-shaped recording medium, which is housed and provided with the shutter 4A that can be opened and closed, as shown in FIG. 12A, cutouts 5a and 5b are formed on the left and right side surfaces, respectively. Are provided in the notches 5a and 5b,
When one surface of the cartridge 3A is the front surface side, a notch on either the left or right side surface (for example, 5a)
A means (projection 41a) for shielding the opening of the notch 5a or narrowing the width of the opening is provided on the surface side of the
On the back side of the notch (eg 5b) on the other side,
This cutout 5b is provided with a means (projection 41b) for shielding the opening or narrowing the width of the opening.

[0015]

First, the operation of the recording and / or reproducing apparatus 2A and 2B for the disk-shaped recording medium according to the present invention will be described.

In the case where the recording and / or reproducing apparatus 2A is of a type capable of recording and / or reproducing on the disk-shaped recording mediums 1A and 1B in the first and second cartridges 3A and 3B, for example, First, when the first cartridge 3A is inserted into the cartridge holder 7A, the projection 6 of the first cartridge 3A is inserted into the hole 9 of the holder 7A as shown in FIG. It will be surely stored in the holder 7A. As a result, recording and / or reproduction on the disc-shaped recording medium 1A in the first cartridge 3A becomes possible.

On the other hand, when the second cartridge 3B is inserted into the cartridge holder 7A, as shown in FIG. 9, the projection 6 is not provided on the second cartridge 3B, so that the second cartridge 3B is not provided. Will be stored in the holder 7A as usual.
It is possible to record and / or reproduce on / from the disc-shaped recording medium 1B in the cartridge 3B.

Next, the recording and / or reproducing apparatus 2B for the disc-shaped recording medium according to the present invention is of a type that can record and / or reproduce only on the disc-shaped recording medium 1B in the second cartridge 3B. In this case, when the second cartridge 3B is first inserted into the cartridge holder 7B, as shown in FIG. 11, the protrusion 6 is not provided on the second cartridge 3B.
The second cartridge 3B will be housed in the cartridge holder 7B as usual. As a result, recording and / or reproduction can be performed on the disc-shaped recording medium 1B in the second cartridge 3B.

On the other hand, when the first cartridge 3A is inserted into the cartridge holder 7B, as shown in FIG. 10, the protrusion 6 is formed on the first cartridge 3A, and the cartridge holder 7B is Since the hole 9 through which the protrusion 6 is inserted is not formed, the protrusion 6 formed on the cartridge 3A becomes an obstacle when the cartridge 3A is inserted, and as a result, the cartridge 3A is stored in the cartridge holder 7B. Not done. Therefore, recording and / or reproducing on the disc-shaped recording medium 1A in the first cartridge 3A becomes impossible.

Next, the recording and / or reproducing apparatus 2A and 3 for the disk-shaped recording medium according to the second aspect of the present invention.
The operation of A will be described.

In the case where the recording and / or reproducing apparatus 2A is of a type capable of recording and / or reproducing with respect to the disk-shaped recording media 1A and 1B in the first and second cartridges 3A and 3B, for example, First, when the first cartridge 3A is stored in the cartridge holder 7A, as shown in FIG. 13, the lever 13 of the lock mechanism 10 enters the notch 5a (or 5b) formed in the side surface of the cartridge 3A. However, since the cartridge 3A is locked with respect to the holder 7A, the first cartridge 3A is surely attached to the holder 7A. As a result, recording and / or reproduction on the disc-shaped recording medium 1A in the first cartridge 3A becomes possible.

The same applies when the second cartridge 3B is housed in the cartridge holder 7A. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the lever 13 of the lock mechanism 10 is formed on the side surface of the second cartridge 3B. Notch 5
a (or 5b) into the second cartridge 3B
Will be locked in the holder 7A, and the second cartridge 3B will be securely mounted in the holder 7A.
Therefore, the disk-shaped recording medium 1 in the second cartridge 3B
It is possible to record and / or reproduce B as well.

Next, the recording and / or reproducing apparatus 2B for the disk-shaped recording medium according to the present invention is of a type that can perform recording and / or reproduction only on the disk-shaped recording medium 1B in the second cartridge 3B, for example. First, when the second cartridge 3B is stored in the cartridge holder 7B, as shown in FIG. 11, for example, the lock mechanism 10 is provided in the notches 5a and 5b formed on the side surface of the cartridge 3B. The lever 13 enters to lock the cartridge 3B with respect to the holder 7B, so that the second cartridge 3B is securely mounted on the holder 7B. As a result, recording and / or reproduction can be performed on the disc-shaped recording medium 1B in the second cartridge 3B.

On the other hand, when the first cartridge 3A is stored in the cartridge holder 7B, as shown in FIG. 14, the lever 13 of the lock mechanism 10 is formed on the side surface of the first cartridge 3A. Since the first cartridge 3A cannot be locked in the holder 7B because it cannot enter the notches 5a and 5b, the first cartridge 3A is not mounted in the holder 7B.
Therefore, the disk-shaped recording medium 1 in the first cartridge 3A
It is impossible to record and / or reproduce A.

Next, the operation of the cartridge 3A used in the recording and / or reproducing apparatus for the disk-shaped recording medium according to the fourth aspect of the present invention will be described.

When this cartridge 3A is inserted into the cartridge holder 7A (or 7B) of the recording and / or reproducing apparatus 2A (or 2B), the back side of the notch (for example, 5b) on the left or right side surface of the cartridge 3A. A means (projection 41b) for blocking the opening of the notch 5b or for narrowing the width of the opening comes to the end.
This is the same even when the cartridge 3A is inserted inside out.

On the other hand, for example, the recording and / or reproducing apparatus 2 described above
In the case where B is a type that writes an information signal regardless of the type of the disk-shaped recording medium, it is desired to prohibit the writing of the information signal, for example, a cartridge 3A containing a read-only disk-shaped recording medium. When the recording and / or reproducing apparatus 2B can be mounted, the information recorded on the read-only disc-shaped recording medium may be destroyed due to an erroneous operation or the like.

Therefore, the cartridge 3 according to the present invention
If A is used as the cartridge 3A for the read-only disc-shaped recording medium, as described above, when the cartridge 3A is inserted into the cartridge holder 7B of the recording and / or reproducing apparatus 2B, either of the left and right sides of the cartridge 3A can be obtained. Since a means (projection 41b) for shielding the opening of the notch 5b or for narrowing the width of the notch 5b is provided on the back surface side of the notch 5b on one side surface,
As shown in FIG. 14, the recording and / or reproducing apparatus 2B has, for example, a cartridge 3A (or 3) inserted in a holder 7B.
By providing the lock mechanism 10 for locking the cartridge 3A (or 3B) to the holder 7B by inserting the lever 13 into the notches 5a and 5b of B), the lever 13 of the lock mechanism 10 can be operated by the lever 41b. As a result, the cartridge 3A inserted in the holder 7B cannot be locked in the holder 7B because the notch 5b is prevented from entering the notch 5b, so that the cartridge 3A can be attached to the recording and / or reproducing apparatus 2B by a machine. Will be blocked. Therefore, in the above recording and / or reproducing apparatus,
For example, recording and / or reproducing on the read-only disc-shaped recording medium 1A housed in the cartridge 3A becomes impossible.

[0029]

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, a recording and / or reproducing apparatus for a disk-shaped recording medium according to the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as a recording / reproducing apparatus)
First and second embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14, but as a disk-shaped recording medium, a magnetic field modulation type magneto-optical recording medium which has been put into practical use at present, particularly writing on both sides and An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to a readable magneto-optical recording medium (hereinafter, simply referred to as a magneto-optical disk).

In the first and second embodiments, two types of magneto-optical discs 1A and 1B (shown by broken lines in the figure) and two types of recording / reproducing devices 2A (see FIG. 2) and 2B (see FIG. 2) are used. (See FIG. 10, for example). Here, an example of the two types of magneto-optical disks 1A and 1B will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, both magneto-optical disks 1A and 1B have the same size, and one magneto-optical disk 1A has the same size. , A read-only disc on which information such as music is recorded in advance, and the other magneto-optical disc 1B is a raw disc on which nothing is recorded, or some data is recorded but writing is performed. It is assumed that it is a good disc (hereinafter referred to as a general disc). One read-only disc 1A is rotatably housed in the first cartridge 3A, and the other general disc 1B is rotatably housed in the second cartridge 3B. These two
Both types of cartridges 3A and 3B are formed to have the same size.

First and second cartridges 3A and 3B
Respectively have shutters 4A and 4B, and these shutters 4A and 4B can be moved to the left and right with respect to the cartridges 3A and 3B as indicated by arrows in the drawing. Then, for example, in the drawing, each cartridge 3A
And the front side of 3B is the front side, the shutters 4A and 4
When B is located on the rightmost side, it is in an open state, and the magneto-optical disks 1A and 1A inside are opened via a shutter window (not shown).
B is exposed. If the back sides of the cartridges 3A and 3B are facing you, the shutter 4A
When 4 and 4B are located on the leftmost side, they are opened. Further, in the first and second cartridges 3A and 3B, rectangular notches 5a and 5b penetrating from the front surface to the back surface are formed on both side surfaces on the rear side.

In the first embodiment, as shown in the drawing, the first disk 1A in which the read-only disk 1A is housed
The protrusion 6 is provided on the front end face of the cartridge 3A (the end face on the side to be inserted into the cartridge holder described later, hereinafter simply referred to as the holder-side end face). On the other hand, in the second cartridge 3B in which the general disc 1B is housed,
The protrusion 6 as described above is not provided.

Next, an example of the two types of recording / reproducing devices 2A and 2B according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 10. One recording / reproducing device 2A is the read-only disc 1A. A general disc 1B is of a type that can be electrically discriminated, and the other recording / reproducing device 2B is a type that cannot be electrically discriminated. Each of the recording / reproducing devices 2A and 2B has therein the above-mentioned first and second cartridges 3A and 3B.
Cartridge holder 7A in which is selectively inserted
(See FIG. 2) and 7B (see FIG. 10).

Each of the cartridge holders 7A and 7B is formed with guide pieces (not shown) for guiding and supporting the selectively inserted first and second cartridges 3A and 3B on both side surfaces thereof, and at the innermost portion thereof. Are stoppers 8A
And 8B are formed. Then, when the first cartridge 3A is inserted into the holder 7A, the stopper 8A of the holder 7A has a diameter of the above-mentioned projection 6 at a position facing the projection 6 formed on the holder-side end surface of the first cartridge 3A. A hole 9 is formed which is slightly larger than the diameter.

In this case, the protrusion 6 may be provided on the right side, left side, or both sides of the holder side end surface of the first cartridge 3A while avoiding the shutter 4A (see FIG. 1A). Two holes 9 are taken into consideration in the inserted state (when inserted with the upper surface on the front side and when inserted with the upper surface on the back side) and the number of protrusions 6.
Is provided. On the other hand, the stopper 8B of the other holder 7B
As shown in FIG. 10, the hole 9 as described above is not formed in the substrate.

Further, each cartridge holder 7A and 7B
Is provided with a lock mechanism 10 on the front side. The lock mechanism 10 includes a support shaft 11 fixed to the holders 7A and 7B, an L-shaped arm 12, and a lever 13, and is provided on the left and right sides of the holders 7A and 7B, respectively. To show the mounting relationship of these members, the support shaft 11 has a shape in which the support shaft 11 projects outward in the left and right directions on the front side of the holders 7A and 7B.
, 7B, and the L-shaped arm 12 has the support shaft 11 inserted through a bent portion thereof. Therefore, the arm 12 rotates around the bent portion. The lever 13 is fixed to the inner side of one end portion (lower end portion in the drawing) of the arm 12, that is, to the side where the two left and right arms 12 face each other.

The left and right arms 12 are connected at their other ends (upper ends in the drawing) by connecting members (not shown). Therefore, the left and right two arms 12 rotate in synchronization with each other. Further, these arms 12 are constantly urged by a spring (not shown) in a direction in which the lever 13 rotates upward. In this lock mechanism 10, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the cartridge 3A is inserted into the holder 7A and the cartridge 3A is completely housed in the holder 7A, the arm 12 rotates and the lever 13 moves into the cartridge. The cartridge 3A is locked to the holder 7A by entering the notch 5a (and 5b) of 3A. At this point, the mounting of the cartridge 3A on the holder 7A is completed. In this example, the optical sensor 15 for detecting attachment is arranged below the lock mechanism 10, and the detection tongue piece 16 provided downwardly from the lever side end of the arm 12 is provided as the optical sensor 15. By blocking the detection light of, the mounting of the cartridge 3A on the holder 7A can be electrically detected.

Next, the loading operation of one recording / reproducing apparatus 2A will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 2, the first cartridge 3A is inserted into the cartridge holder 7A, for example, face up. At this time, the lever 13 of the lock mechanism 10 is pushed downward by the back surface of the cartridge 3A to be inserted, so that the arm 12 rotates downward. At this time, the shutter 4A of the cartridge 3A is opened by a known shutter opening / closing mechanism (not shown).
Works in the opening direction.

When the insertion of the cartridge 3A is further continued,
As shown in FIG. 3, the protrusion 6 provided on the end surface of the cartridge 3A on the holder side is inserted into the hole 9 of the stopper 8A of the holder 7A to form the cartridge 3A.
The holder-side end surface of A contacts the stopper 8A. At this point, the storage of the cartridge 3A in the holder 7A is completed.
Further, at this time, since the notch 5a (and 5b) of the cartridge 3A is present above the lever 13 of the lock mechanism 10, the arm 12 is rotated upward by elastic return by a spring (not shown), and the lever 13 is It will enter into the notch 5a (and 5b) of the cartridge 3A. In the illustrated example, the lever 13 slightly moves into the notches 5a (and 5b) by the upward rotation of the arm 12. In addition, at the time of completion of this storage, the shutter 4A of the cartridge 3A is not
The shutter window A is completely opened.

The cartridge 3A is attached to the holder 7
As it is completely housed in A, as shown in FIG. 4, the turntable 22 of the spindle motor 21 existing in the lower center portion of the cartridge 3A and the hub of the read-only disk 1A housed in the cartridge 3A. 23
And are positioned. Positioning pins 25 projecting upward are provided on both sides of a housing 24 accommodating the spindle motor 21.
Is provided with a clamp mechanism 26 with a magnet.

At the same time as the above positioning, as shown in FIG. 5, the three contacts 32a, 32b and 32c of the sensor mechanism 31 for detecting the write protect and the kind of the cartridge and the back surface of the cartridge 3A are formed. A write protect indicator hole (not shown) and a format type discrimination hole (not shown) are selectively positioned. The sensor mechanism 31 is provided with two optical sensors 33a and 33b. Normally, these optical sensors 33a and 33b are provided.
The two arms 34a and 34b are connected to the above-mentioned three contacts 32a, 32b and 32c and the known link mechanism (support shafts 35a and 35b) so as to block the detection light of the a and 33b.
Etc.).

Then, for example, when the write protection of the cartridge 3A is released, for example, 1
When one contact 32a is depressed, one arm 34
a moves upward around the support shaft 35a, the interruption of the detection light of the one optical sensor 33a is released, and it is electrically detected that the write protection of the cartridge 3A is released. On the contrary, when the contact 32a is inserted into the write protection indicating hole of the cartridge 3A, the light detected by the optical sensor 33a remains blocked and the write protection of the cartridge 3A is electrically set. To be detected. Similarly, by selectively pressing the remaining two contacts 32b and 32c,
The other arm 34b keeps blocking the detection light of the optical sensor 33b, or releases the blocking of the detection light based on the rotation through the support shaft 35b, so that the type of the cartridge 3A (recorded on the disc 1A is recorded. The type of format that is being used) is detected electrically.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the cartridge 3
With the completion of storing A in the holder 7A, the lock mechanism 10
The lever 13 moves further into the notch 5a (and 5b) of the cartridge 3A by the upward rotation of the arm 12, whereby the cartridge 3A is locked.
The lever 13 completely locks the holder 7A. That is, the movement of the cartridge 3A in the direction opposite to the insertion direction into the holder 7A is prevented, and the cartridge 3A is forbiddenly taken out of the holder 7A. To remove the cartridge, press the cartridge eject key (EJECT
Key) can be operated.

With the locking operation of the cartridge 3A, the tongue piece 16 of the arm 12 blocks the light detected by the optical sensor 15, and this time, the mounting of the cartridge 3A on the holder 7A is completed. Optical sensor 15
The detection signal from is supplied to a drive circuit of a known slide mechanism (not shown). When the slide mechanism operates by supplying the detection signal to the drive circuit, the holder 7A having the cartridge 3A mounted thereon moves downward. By this downward movement of the holder 7A, as shown in FIG. 7, the cartridge 3A is positioned by the positioning pin 25, and the read-only disc 1A in the cartridge 3A is mounted on the turntable 22 via the clamp mechanism 26. To be done.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, one contact 32a of the sensor mechanism 31 is inserted into the write protect indicator hole of the cartridge 3A to set the write protect of the cartridge 3A. Are electrically detected, and at the same time, the remaining two contacts 32
b and 32c are selectively pressed to electrically detect the format of the read-only disc 1A contained in the cartridge 3A. In the illustrated example, the two contacts 32b and 32c are pressed together to cause the arm 3
4b rotates upward about the support shaft 35b, and the optical sensor 33
An example in which the blocking of the detection light of b is released is shown.

By the series of operations described above, the read-only disc 1A housed in the first cartridge 3A.
Can be accessed (in this case, only the read operation).

Next, when the second cartridge 3B is inserted into the cartridge holder 7A with its front side facing up, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the projection 6 is not provided on the end surface of the cartridge 3B on the holder side. The cartridge 3B can be inserted to a position where the end surface on the holder side comes into contact with the stopper 8A of the holder 7A, and the cartridge 3B can be completely stored in the holder 7A. Subsequent operations are the same as those in FIGS. 6 to 8, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. Therefore, even in this case, the second
The general disk 1B housed in the cartridge 3B can be accessed (in this case, read operation and write operation).

Next, the loading operation of the other recording / reproducing apparatus 2B will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 10, the first cartridge 3A is inserted into the cartridge holder 7B so as to face up, for example. In this case, since the hole 9 is not provided in the stopper 8B of the holder 7B, the protrusion 6 of the cartridge 3A is inserted during the insertion of the cartridge 3A.
Comes into contact with the stopper 8B, and further insertion is impossible. That is, the first cartridge 3A cannot be stored in the holder 7B. At this time, the lock mechanism 10
Is still pressed on the back surface of the cartridge 3A, and the detection signal from the optical sensor 15 indicating the completion of storage is not output. Therefore, access (reading operation and writing operation) to the first cartridge 3A inserted in the holder 7B becomes impossible.

Next, when the second cartridge 3B is inserted into the cartridge holder 7B, for example, with the front facing up, the protrusion 6 is not provided on the end surface of the cartridge 3B on the holder side, as shown in FIG. The cartridge 3B can be inserted up to the position where the end surface on the holder side contacts the stopper 8B of the holder 7B, and the cartridge 3B can be completely stored in the holder 7B. Since the subsequent operation is the same as that in FIGS. 6 to 8,
The description is omitted. Therefore, in this case, the general disc 1B housed in the second cartridge 3B can be accessed (in this case, read operation and write operation).

The above example shows an example in which the first and second cartridges 3A and 3B are inserted into the holders 7A and 7B face up, but the same operation is performed when they are inserted face down. Since it is self-explanatory, its explanation is omitted.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the general disk 1B is housed in the recording / reproducing apparatus 2B which cannot electrically distinguish the read-only disk 1A from the general disk 1B. The second cartridge 3
When B is inserted, the cartridge 3B can be completely stored in the holder 7B as shown in FIG.
The general disc 1B in the cartridge 3B can be accessed (read operation and write operation), but when the first cartridge 3A containing the read-only disc 1A is inserted, the cartridge 3
Since the protrusion 6 provided on the end surface of the holder A of the cartridge A blocks the storage thereof, the read-only disk 1A in the cartridge 3A cannot be accessed (read operation and write operation).

Therefore, the recording / reproducing apparatus 2 is equipped with the first cartridge 3A containing the read-only disc 1A.
Even if the disk 1A is inserted into the disk B and an operation error is made, the disk 1A is not accessed.
There is no inconvenience of accidentally destroying the information recorded in. Therefore, if the recording / reproducing device 2B is used as a drive device for an external storage device such as a personal computer, a means for electrically discriminating the read-only disc 1A from a general disc 1B (an arithmetic circuit or a memory). And the like), and the first cartridge 3 that accommodates the read-only disc 1A
Since it is only necessary to provide the projection 6 on the end surface of the holder side of A, the structure of the device itself can be simplified and downsized, and further downsizing of the computer or the like can be efficiently promoted.

On the other hand, in the recording / reproducing apparatus 2A capable of electrically discriminating between the read-only disc 1A and the general disc 1B, the read-only disc 1A is used.
It is possible to mount the first cartridge 3A in which the disk is stored and the second cartridge 3B in which the general disk 1B is stored in the recording / reproducing apparatus 2A without making a mechanical distinction.

Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
Will be described with reference to. Read-only disc 1A
The first cartridge 3A in which the
As shown in FIG. 5, the end face on the holder side is not provided with the protrusion 6 as shown in the first embodiment. Instead, protrusions 41a and 41b are provided in the rear notches 5a and 5b, respectively. That is, as shown in the figure, when the upper surface is the front side, a protrusion 41a extending rearward is provided on the front surface side of the right cutout 5a, and a protrusion 41b extending rearward on the rear surface side of the left cutout 5b. Is provided.

By these projections 41a and 41b,
The opening width on the front surface side of the notch 5a on the right side (the opening width along the cartridge insertion direction, the same applies below) is made smaller than the opening width on the back surface side thereof, and the opening width on the back surface side of the notch 5b on the left side as well. , Smaller than the opening width on the surface side. Of course, the projections 41a and 41b may completely shield the front surface side of the right cutout 5a and the back surface side of the left cutout 5b. The above state is the same even when the cartridge 3A is turned upside down. On the other hand, the second cartridge 3 in which the general disc 1B is housed
B has a normal structure, and the protrusions 41a and 41b as described above are not formed in the notches 5a and 5b.

Next, two types of recording / reproducing apparatuses 2A (see FIG. 13) and 2B (see FIG. 14) according to the second embodiment.
Is the recording / reproducing apparatus 2A on the one hand, as in the first embodiment.
However, read-only disc 1A and general disc 1
B is a type that can be electrically discriminated, and the other recording / reproducing apparatus 2B is a type that cannot be electrically discriminated. In the second embodiment, the lock mechanism 1 of one recording / reproducing apparatus 2A is used.
Only 0 is provided for the cartridge holder 7A.
That is, in this example, the cartridge holder 7A is installed only on the right side of the cartridge holder 7A when viewed from above.

The other recording / reproducing device 2B is installed on the left and right of the cartridge holder 7B as usual, and each arm 12 of the left and right lock mechanisms 10 operates in synchronization by a connecting member (not shown) provided on the upper part of the arm 12. It is supposed to do. Since the protrusion 6 is not provided in the first cartridge 3A, the hole 9 as shown in the first embodiment is not formed in the stopper 8A of the cartridge holder 7A in the one recording / reproducing apparatus 2A. ..

In such a structure, for example, the first cartridge holder 7A in one recording / reproducing apparatus 2A is provided with the first
When the cartridge 3A is inserted, as shown in FIG. 13, the cartridge 3A is inserted until its holder-side end surface comes into contact with the stopper 8A, and is completely stored in the holder 7A. At this time, as shown in the drawing, the back surface side of the notch 5a on the right side of the cartridge 3A (that is,
There is no protrusion on the lever 13 side (the protrusion 4 on the front side).
1a is present), the lever 13 of the lock mechanism 10 installed only on one side (right side) of the holder 7A enters the notch 5a. Subsequent operations are the same as those in FIGS. 6 to 8, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

Therefore, in this case, the read-only disc 1A housed in the first cartridge 3A is surely mounted on the spindle motor 21 (see FIG. 7), so that the read-only disc 1A can be used. Access (only the read operation in this case) is possible. Of course, even if the cartridge 3A is turned over and inserted, the read-only disk 1A in the cartridge 3A can be mounted on the spindle motor 21 in the same manner as described above, and access to the read-only disk 1A (in this case, read operation Only) is possible.

Next, when the second cartridge 3B is inserted into the cartridge holder 7A this time, since there are no protrusions 41a and 41b in the notches 5a and 5b, the same as in the case of the first embodiment. (That is, as shown in FIG. 9), the locking mechanism 1 installed only on the right side of the holder.
The lever 13 of 0 enters into the notch 5a.
Therefore, even in this case, the second cartridge 3B
It becomes possible to access (in this case, a read operation and a write operation) the general disk 1B housed in.

Next, when the first cartridge 3A is inserted into the cartridge holder 7B of the other recording / reproducing apparatus 2B, as shown in FIG.
Will be inserted until its end face on the holder side comes into contact with the stopper 8B, and will be completely stored in the holder 7B. However, as shown in the drawing, the protrusion 4 is formed on the rear surface side (that is, the lever 13 side) of the notch 5b on the left side of the cartridge 3A.
Because of the presence of 1b, the lever 13 of the lock mechanism 10 installed on the left side of the holder 7B is prevented from entering the notch 5b by the protrusion 41b thereof.

On the other hand, on the right side of the cartridge 3B, the projection 41 is provided on the rear surface side of the notch 5a (that is, the lever 13 side).
Although a does not exist, the lock mechanism 10 on the left side does not operate, so the lock mechanism 10 on the right side also does not operate. As described above, the lock mechanism 10 includes the protrusion 4
It is still pressed by 1b, and the detection signal of completion of storage by the optical sensor 15 is not output. Therefore, access (reading operation and writing operation) to the first cartridge 3A inserted in the holder 7B becomes impossible. This is the same even when the cartridge 3A is inserted upside down.

Next, when the second cartridge 3B is inserted into the cartridge holder 7B this time, the notch 5
Since there are no protrusions 41a and 41b in a and 5b,
Similar to the case of the first embodiment (that is, as shown in FIG. 11), the levers 13 of the left and right lock mechanisms 10 enter the notches 5a and 5b, respectively. Therefore, in this case, the general disk 1B housed in the second cartridge 3B can be accessed (in this case, the read operation and the write operation).

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the general disk 1B is housed in the recording / reproducing apparatus 2B which cannot electrically distinguish the read-only disk 1A from the general disk 1B. The second cartridge 3
When B is inserted, since the cartridge 3B can be locked in the holder 7B by the lock mechanism 10, the general disk 1B in the cartridge 3B can be accessed (read operation and write operation). However, when the first cartridge 3A accommodating the read-only disc 1A is inserted, the locking operation of one locking mechanism 10 is blocked by the protrusion 41b provided in the notch 5b of the cartridge 3A, so that the cartridge Access (read operation and write operation) cannot be performed to the read-only disk 1A in 3A.

Therefore, even if the first cartridge 3A accommodating the read-only disc 1A is inserted into the recording / reproducing apparatus 2B and an operation error is made, the read-only disc 1A is not accessed. The inconvenience of accidentally destroying the information recorded on the read-only disc 1A does not occur. Therefore, if the recording / reproducing device 2B is used as a drive device for an external storage device such as a personal computer, a means for electrically discriminating the read-only disc 1A from the general disc 1B (an arithmetic circuit or a memory). And the like), and the projections 41a and 41b only have to be provided in the notches 5a and 5b of the first cartridge 3A in which the read-only disc 1A is housed. Therefore, the structure of the apparatus itself can be simplified and The miniaturization can be achieved, and the miniaturization of the computer or the like can be efficiently promoted.

On the other hand, in the recording / reproducing apparatus 2A capable of electrically discriminating between the read-only disc 1A and the general disc 1B, the read-only disc 1A
Without mechanically distinguishing from the general disc 1B,
It can be mounted in the device 2A.

In the above embodiment, the recording / reproducing devices 2A and 2B are applied to the magnetic field modulation type magneto-optical disks 1A and 1B. It can also be applied to a rewritable optical disc and the like.

[0068]

As described above, according to the recording and / or reproducing apparatus for the disk-shaped recording medium according to the present invention, the first and second
In the above cartridge, when the projection is provided only on the end surface of the first cartridge on the holder side, and recording and / or reproduction can be performed on the two types of disc-shaped recording media in the first and second cartridges, In the holder,
In the case where a hole through which the protrusion is inserted is provided at a position facing the protrusion in the first cartridge and recording and / or reproduction can be performed only on the disc-shaped recording medium in the second cartridge, the cartridge Do not make the above holes in the holder.

Alternatively, notches are formed in the side surfaces of the first and second cartridges, and recording and / or recording are performed on the two types of disc-shaped recording media in the first and second cartridges.
Alternatively, when reproduction is possible, a lock mechanism in which a lever that enters into the notch is rotatably attached is provided, and recording and / or reproduction is performed only on the disc-shaped recording medium in the second cartridge. When it is possible to provide the lock mechanism, the lock mechanism is rotatably attached to the lever that is capable of entering the notch of the second cartridge and is not allowed to enter the notch of the first cartridge. Therefore, in the case where recording and / or reproduction can be performed only on the disk-shaped recording medium in the second cartridge, when the first and second cartridges are selectively inserted into the cartridge holder,
Only the second cartridge can be housed or mounted in the cartridge holder, and recording and / or reproduction can be performed only on the disc-shaped recording medium in the second cartridge.

Therefore, for example, in the device itself, the first and second
This is effective when it is desired to mechanically prohibit the mounting of the disc-shaped recording medium in the first cartridge when the disc-shaped recording medium in the cartridge is not equipped with an electrical means for distinguishing the disc-shaped recording medium. For example, when it is used as a drive device for an external storage device such as a computer, it is advantageous for simplifying and downsizing the structure of the drive device and for downsizing the computer and the like.

When recording and / or reproducing can be performed on the two types of disc-shaped recording media in the first and second cartridges, the first and second cartridges are selectively placed in the cartridge holder. When inserted,
Since the first and second cartridges are selectively housed or mounted in the cartridge holder, recording and / or reproduction can be performed on the disk-shaped recording medium in the first and second cartridges. So, for example, in the device itself,
When electrical means for distinguishing the respective disc-shaped recording mediums in the first and second cartridges is provided, the selective mounting of the disc-shaped recording mediums in the first and second cartridges is performed mechanically. It is effective when you want to enable.

Further, according to the cartridge used in the recording and / or reproducing apparatus for the disk-shaped recording medium according to the present invention, notches are provided on both left and right side surfaces, and one surface of the cartridge is formed in these notches. When it is referred to as the front side, on the front side of the notch on either the left or right side, a means for shielding the opening of the notch or narrowing the width of the opening is provided, and the back side of the notch on the other side. Since the means for blocking the opening of the notch or narrowing the width of the opening is provided on the side, the cartridge according to the present invention can be applied to, for example, a disc-shaped recording medium (for example, read-only) for which writing of information is prohibited. When used as a cartridge for a disc-shaped recording medium), the recording and / or reproducing device for writing information is erroneous regardless of the type of the disc-shaped recording medium. The cartridge when inserted into the cartridge holder may also be mechanically prohibit mounted to said recording and / reproducing apparatus of the cartridge Te.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a plan view showing a first cartridge according to a first embodiment in which a read-only disc is accommodated, and FIG. 1B is a first embodiment in which a general disc is accommodated. It is a top view which shows the 2nd cartridge which concerns on an example.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the first cartridge is being inserted into the cartridge holder of one of the recording / reproducing apparatuses (a type in which a read-only disc and a general disc can be electrically discriminated) according to the present invention (during insertion) It is a side view which shows (state).

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state where the first cartridge is housed in the cartridge holder of one recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state in which a first cartridge is arranged above a spindle motor of one recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a state in which the first cartridge is arranged above the sensor mechanism of one recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state where the first cartridge is locked in the cartridge holder of one recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a state in which the disc in the first cartridge is mounted on the turntable of the spindle motor of the one recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a state where the first cartridge is attached to the sensor mechanism of one recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a state where the second cartridge is locked in the cartridge holder of one recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a state in which the first cartridge is inserted in the cartridge holder of the other recording / reproducing apparatus (type in which a read-only disc and a general disc cannot be electrically discriminated) according to the present invention (during insertion) It is a side view which shows (state).

FIG. 11 is a side view showing a state where the second cartridge is locked in the cartridge holder of the other recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 12A is a perspective view showing a first cartridge according to a second embodiment in which a read-only disc is accommodated, and FIG. 12B is a second cartridge in which a general disc is accommodated.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a second cartridge according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 shows a state in which the first cartridge is locked in the cartridge holder of one recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention,
It is a side view especially seen from right side.

FIG. 14 shows a state in which the first cartridge is locked in the cartridge holder of the other recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.
It is a side view especially seen from left side.

[Explanation of symbols]

1A read-only disc 1B general disc 2A recording / reproducing device (type that can electrically distinguish read-only disc from general disc) 2B recording / reproducing device (read-only disc and ordinary disc electrically Unrecognizable type) 3A 1st cartridge 3B 2nd cartridge 4A and 4B Shutters 5a and 5b Notches 6 Protrusions 7A and 7B Cartridge holders 8A and 8B Stoppers 9 Holes 10 Lock mechanism 11 Spindle 12 L-shaped arm 13 Lever 21 spindle motor 22 turntable 31 sensor mechanism 41a and 41b protrusion

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A cartridge holder in which two kinds of disk-shaped recording media having the same size are rotatably housed and shutters are provided so as to be openable and closable and in which first and second cartridges are selectively inserted. In the recording and / or reproducing apparatus for the disk-shaped recording medium having, in the first and second cartridges, the protrusion is provided only on the holder-side end surface of the first cartridge, and When recording and / or reproducing can be performed on a disc-shaped recording medium of a type, a hole through which the protrusion is inserted is provided in the cartridge holder at a position facing the protrusion on the first cartridge. In the case where recording and / or reproduction can be performed only on the disc-shaped recording medium in the second cartridge, A recording and / or reproducing apparatus for a disk-shaped recording medium, characterized in that the cartridge holder is not provided with the hole. 2. A cartridge holder in which two kinds of disc-shaped recording media having the same size are rotatably housed and shutters are provided so as to be openable and closable and in which first and second cartridges are selectively inserted. In a recording and / or reproducing apparatus for a disc-shaped recording medium having, a notch is formed in a side surface of the first and second cartridges, and two types of disc-shaped recording mediums in the first and second cartridges are provided. In the case where recording and / or reproduction can be performed by means of a recording medium, a lock mechanism is rotatably attached to a lever that enters into the notch of the first and second cartridges. When recording and / or reproducing is possible only on the disc-shaped recording medium, it is possible to enter into the notch of the second cartridge, and A recording and / or reproducing apparatus for a disk-shaped recording medium, which has a lock mechanism in which a lever that cannot be inserted into the notch of the first cartridge is rotatably attached. 3. A notch is formed in each of both side surfaces of the first and second cartridges, and a lever entry preventing means is formed in the notch of the first cartridge. When recording and / or reproducing can be performed on two types of disc-shaped recording media in the cartridge, a lock mechanism is rotatably attached to a lever that enters into the notch of the first and second cartridges. In the case where recording and / or reproduction can be performed only on the disc-shaped recording medium in the second cartridge, it is possible to enter into the notch of the second cartridge, In the notch of the first cartridge,
The recording and / or reproducing apparatus for a disk-shaped recording medium according to claim 2, further comprising a lock mechanism rotatably attached to a lever that is prevented from entering by the lever entry preventing means. 4. A disc-shaped recording medium having a cartridge holder, which is inserted into the cartridge holder of a recording and / or reproducing apparatus, wherein the disc-shaped recording medium is rotatably housed therein and a shutter is openable / closable. In the cartridge used for the recording and / or reproducing apparatus for the above-mentioned disc-shaped recording medium provided in, there are notches on both left and right sides, and when one side of the cartridge is the front side, either one of the left and right sides is provided. On the front side of the notch on the side surface of the notch, means for shielding the opening of the notch or narrowing the width of the opening is provided, and on the back side of the notch on the other side, the opening of the notch Used for a recording and / or reproducing apparatus for a disk-shaped recording medium, characterized in that it is provided with means for shielding the recording medium or narrowing the width of its opening. cartridge.