JPH07141686A - Optical scanner and cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify constitution for causing scan of a condensed spot by passing of condensing means through a laser beam having a diameter larger than the diameter of these condensing means, thereby causing the scan of the condensed spot. CONSTITUTION:The divergent light from a semiconductor laser 20 is shaped by a collimating lens 24 to an ellptical luminous flux 2 having a prescribed major diameter and minor diameter and the inside of this ellptical luminous flux 2 is scanned by the objective lenses 11a to 11d, by which recording and reproducing are executed. Namely, one piece of recording track is eventually formed (one piece of reading at the time of reproducing) by passing of the objective lens 11d once in the luminous flux 2. This operation is successively executed with the other objective lenses 11a to 11d as well, by which the recording tracks are formed (or reproduced) on an optical tape. The direction of the elliptic luminous flux 2 is so determined that the luminous flux has the major diameter in the direction parallel with the tangent direction of a holding plate 3 which keeps rotating. The energy of the laser 20 is thereby effectively utilized.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical scanning device for recording / reproducing information by scanning a light beam focused on a medium at high speed in an optical tape device, an optical card device, a printer device, or the like. The present invention relates to a device and a cassette used in such an optical scanning device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Currently, as information recording / reproducing apparatus,
A magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus using a magnetic recording medium is widely used. On the other hand, an optical recording / reproducing apparatus using an optical recording medium finely narrows a laser beam and scans the focused light to record / reproduce a signal. High density recording is possible. As such an optical scanning device, a device using an optical tape as a medium and a device using an optical card are generally known.

18 to 21 show Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-2964.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an optical tape device as an example of a conventional optical scanning device shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 30.

In the figure, 101 is an optical tape coated with a magneto-optical recording medium, and 102 is a high speed (for example, 1800 rp).
m), a cylinder rotating in the direction of arrow a, 103, 104
Is a guide pin for taking out the optical tape 101 from a cassette (not shown) and winding it around the cylinder 102, 105 is a pinch roller, 106 is a capstan motor, 107 is a supply reel for supplying the optical tape 101 from the cassette, 1
Reference numeral 08 is a take-up reel for winding the optical tape 101, 109 is an optical block including a semiconductor laser as a light source, and the like, 110 is light emitted from the optical block 109 and focused on the medium surface of the optical tape 101. The objective lenses 111a and 111b forming the light spot 117 are defocus correction means for correcting the defocus of the light spot 117 on the medium surface, and in this example, they are composed of piezoelectric elements. Then, the optical block 109 and the objective lens 11
0, the defocus correction means 111 constitutes an optical head. Reference numeral 116 is a signal pit formed on the optical tape 101 by the light spot 117.

It should be noted that in the conventional optical tape device, as shown in FIG.
It has four optical heads as shown in FIG.
Reference numerals 2 and 113 denote signal erasing optical heads, and 114.115 denote signal recording or reproducing optical heads.

The information erasing / recording operation in such an optical tape device will be described below. The optical tape 101 taken out from the cassette has guide pins 103, 10
4 is wound around the cylinder 102 in a spiral shape, and is driven at a low speed (for example, 12 mm / s) in the direction of arrow b opposite to the rotation direction of the cylinder 102.

For this optical tape 101, the optical head 1
High-power laser light emitted from 12 to 115 is condensed as a micron-order light spot 117, heated to a temperature exceeding the Curie point, and the magnetization of that portion is erased to erase information. At the same time, information is recorded by applying a magnetic field in a desired direction from the outside. Figure 2
0 indicates a recording track 116 as a sequence of signal pits recorded in this way.

The recorded signal pit is a light spot 11
It is slightly smaller than the diameter of 7 (about 1.2 μm) and is about 0.6 μm. Also, the track pitch P of these track rows
In order to perform high density recording, is set to about 1.6 μm, which is almost the same as that of the optical disk device.

At this time, since the light spot 117 condensed to the diffraction limit has a small depth of focus (a range in which the spot diameter is almost the same as the focal point) is about 1 μm, the optical tape 10 is used.
The focus shift with respect to the light spot 117 on the medium surface of No. 1 is detected, and the focus shift is corrected by moving the objective lens 110 in the optical axis direction (direction of arrow h) by the focus shift correction means 111 as shown in FIG. It is carried out.

Next, the reproducing operation of the information recorded on the optical tape 101 will be described. At the time of reproduction, a low-output laser beam related to linearly polarized light is emitted from the optical heads 114 and 115, a light spot 117 is formed on the optical tape 101 as at the time of recording, and reflected light from the information pit 116 depending on the direction of magnetization. Information is read by detecting a change in the polarization direction as a change in the light intensity.

Next, an optical card device will be described as an example of a conventional optical scanning device. FIG. 22 shows a conventional optical card device described on pages 10 to 11 of "Feasibility Study Report of Optical Technology Applied System-Optical Card-Optical Technology Association of Japan, published in March 1988". It is a figure for explaining.

In the figure, 118 is an optical block including a semiconductor laser as a light source, 119 is a rotary drum which rotates at a high speed (for example, 1800 rpm) in the direction of arrow a, and 120a to 120d are attached to the rotary drum 119. The objective lens is arranged at a position symmetrical with respect to the rotation axis 121 of the rotary drum 119. 1
22 is a laser beam emitted from the optical block 118, 1
Reference numeral 23 is a reflecting mirror, and 124 is a focusing lens.
It is movable in the direction of. 125 is a rotating shaft 121
Is a quadrangular pyramid mirror that is attached to the rotating drum and rotates together with the rotating drum 119, and selectively reflects the laser light from the focusing lens 124 to the reflecting mirrors 126a to 126d. The reflection mirrors 126a to 126d are provided corresponding to the objective lenses 120a to 120d, respectively. An optical card 127 is a recording medium, and is driven at a low speed (for example, 12 mm /
s) Driven. Reference numeral 128 is a recording track recorded on the optical card.

Next, the operation of this optical card device will be described.

The laser light 122 emitted from the optical block 118 is reflected by a reflecting mirror 123 and a focusing lens 124.
A quadrangular pyramid mirror 125 that rotates together with the rotating drum 119 through the reflection mirror 126 a guides the light to the objective lens 120 a via the reflection mirror 126 a and forms a condensed spot on the medium surface of the optical card 127. In such a configuration, the rotary drum 119 rotates at a relatively high speed, and the optical card 127
Is moving at a relatively low speed and in the direction opposite to the rotating direction of the rotating drum 119, the information track 128 to be recorded has an arc shape as shown in the figure.
At this time, in order to correct the focus shift of the focused spot with respect to the medium surface of the optical card 127, the focus shift is detected from the reflected light from the focused spot, and the focusing lens 124 is moved in the direction of arrow c according to the shift amount. Move in the direction.

In this apparatus, the recording density can be freely selected, but it is common to form a track pitch of 1 to several μm by a light spot of 1 to several μm.

Next, as an example of a conventional optical scanning device, a thermal transfer printer device for scanning and printing with a laser beam will be described. 23 to 24 are views for explaining a conventional thermal transfer printer device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-143657.

In the figure, 129 is a semiconductor laser which is a light source, 130 is a rotary polygonal mirror which rotates about an axis 130a as shown by an arrow, 131 is an ink film, 132 is paper as a recording medium, 133 is an optical deflector, and 134 Is a carriage, which is movable as indicated by an arrow.

Next, the operation of this printer will be described. The thermal transfer printer device shown in FIG. 23 operates at a relatively high speed, and the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 129 is scanned by the rotary polygon mirror 130 and is irradiated onto the ink film 131. At this time, since the laser light is modulated at the time of being output from the semiconductor laser 129 according to the data to be printed, the ink film 131 is melted and transferred onto the paper 132, and desired printing is performed. become.

The thermal transfer printer device shown in FIG. 24 operates at a medium speed, and the laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 129 is swung by the optical deflector 133 in a line width. The scanning in the lateral direction is performed by the reciprocating movement of the carriage 134. The laser light is the same as that of FIG.
The print data is modulated at the time of emission from the semiconductor laser 129. The laser light thus radiated to the ink film 131 melts the ink in that portion, and the paper 1
The desired printing is made on 32.

[0020]

In the above-mentioned conventional optical tape device, it is necessary to take out the optical tape 101 from the cassette, wind it around the cylinder 102, and run it. For this reason, a highly accurate tape running system is required, and the optical tape 101 must be run in a complicated manner along a predetermined tape path.
In 04, extra tension is often applied or worn, and the load on the optical tape 101 is large. Therefore, there is a problem that the recording track is bent due to the elongation of the optical tape 101 or the recording portion is easily damaged due to abrasion.

Further, the optical tape 101 has a problem that it is difficult to take measures against dust because it is necessary to take it out from the cassette and run it when recording / reproducing information.

Further, since the entire optical heads 112 to 115 consisting of the optical block 109, the objective lens 110 and the defocus correcting means 111 are provided in the cylinder 102 which rotates at a high speed, the cylinder 102 has uneven rotation. It tends to occur, and in addition, it is necessary to supply power and extract signals to the rotating part. For this problem,
For example, there is a method using a rotary transformer,
There were problems in terms of reliability and price.

A part of the problems of the optical tape device can be solved by the light beam rotation method used in the above-mentioned optical card device. However, according to this method, high-speed writing and reading are performed by fixing the light source part and guiding the laser light to the plurality of objective lenses in the movable part. Pyramidal mirror 125, reflecting mirror 126a-
There is a problem that 126d is required, the configuration is complicated, and at the same time, the device becomes large.

Further, in this method, for focus correction, a focusing lens 124 is arranged in the fixed optical path and is moved in the optical axis direction according to the size and direction of the defocus to correct the defocus. That is, since the defocus is corrected by changing the divergence angle of the laser light incident on the objective lens by moving the lens, aberration occurs due to the correction operation, and the defocus correction amount is restricted. There was a problem.

Further, in the conventional thermal transfer printer apparatus described with reference to FIG. 23, since the rotary polygon mirror 130 is used to scan the laser beam at a relatively high speed, the lens is used for high-definition printing. It becomes necessary to use and collect light. In particular, in the case of forming a light spot on the order of micron, in the rotary polygon mirror method in which the optical axis of the laser light is tilted with respect to the paper surface to perform scanning, optical aberration cannot be ignored, and especially, both ends of the paper 132 are scanned. There is a problem in that the quality of the light spot in some parts is deteriorated and the printing accuracy is greatly reduced.

The conventional thermal transfer printer described with reference to FIG. 24 does not have such a problem, and high-definition printing can be realized when the deflection angle is small, but the scanning speed is limited because the scanning width is limited. There was a problem that it could not be raised significantly.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to write or read information to or from a medium at high speed by scanning a focused spot with a simple optical system at high speed. It is an object of the present invention to obtain a small-sized optical scanning device which can be performed and has little influence on optical characteristics in defocus correction at that time.

Further, the present invention provides a cassette in which a medium such as an optical tape is not stretched or damaged during a recording / reproducing operation, and which is not affected by dust from the outside. The purpose is to get.

[0029]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical scanning device comprising a condensing means for forming a condensing spot by making a laser beam incident thereon, and a holding means to which the condensing means is fixed. And a driving means for driving the holding means, wherein the diameter of the laser beam when entering the focusing means is larger than that of the focusing means, and the focusing means passes through the laser beam. The condensing spot is scanned by.

An optical scanning device according to a second aspect of the present invention is such that the holding means is plate-shaped, and the holding spot is scanned by rotating the holding means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the optical scanning device, a plurality of the light collecting means are fixed to the holding means, and
The plurality of light collecting means are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the rotation center of the holding means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the optical scanning device, the holding means is moved in the optical axis direction of the condensing means based on the light from the medium by the converging spot, and the light of the condensing spot is moved. It is provided with a focus shift correcting means for adjusting the axis shift.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the optical scanning device controls the rotation speed of the holding means or the moving speed of the medium based on the light from the medium by the converging spot, and the position of the converging spot. A track deviation correcting means for adjusting the deviation is provided.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the optical scanning device, the laser beam upon entering the converging means has an elliptical shape and has a major axis in a direction substantially parallel to the tangential direction of the rotating holding means. Thus, the elliptical light is arranged.

An optical scanning device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is such that the elliptical light is obtained by collimating the laser beams from the semiconductor lasers having different divergence angles in the orthogonal direction by the collimating means. is there.

An optical scanning device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention obtains the elliptical light by beam-shaping a laser beam from a laser having a symmetrical divergence angle.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the optical scanning device, the magnetic circuit of the rotation driving means is composed of a radially magnetized multi-pole magnet and a coil group provided so as to face the multi-pole magnet. Then, the magnetic circuit of the defocus correction means, a cylindrical radial magnetizing magnet, a cylindrical coil provided to face the radial magnetizing magnet and the radial magnetizing magnet,
And a yoke that holds the cylindrical coil in such a manner as to wrap it, and a yoke that holds the coil is provided between the magnetic circuit of the rotation drive means and the magnetic circuit of the defocus correction means. The two magnetic circuits are separated by arranging them.

A cassette according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is a cassette which is provided with at least a medium capable of optically recording or reproducing information and a traveling mechanism of the medium, and is sealed, A transmission hole through which light can pass is provided in part, and information on the medium is processed by light incident from the outside through the transmission hole.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the medium is a medium for magneto-optical recording, and a hole for arranging a magnet is provided on the side of the medium opposite to the transmission hole. is there.

[0040]

In the optical scanning device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the converging means passes through the laser beam having a diameter larger than that of the converging means to scan the converging spot.

An optical scanning device according to a second aspect of the present invention scans a focused spot by passing a focusing means fixed to a plate-shaped holding means through a laser beam having a diameter larger than that of the focusing means. Let

In the optical scanning device according to the third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of light converging means fixed to the plate-like holding means sequentially pass through the laser light having a diameter larger than that of the light converging means, thereby condensing the light. Scan the spot.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the optical scanning device, the holding means to which the light collecting means is fixed is moved in the optical axis direction of the light collecting means based on the light from the light spot formed on the medium. , Correct the optical axis shift of the focused spot.

An optical scanning device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention controls the rotation speed of the holding means or the moving speed of the medium on the basis of the light from the light spot formed on the medium, and the condensed spot on the medium. Correct the misalignment of.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the optical scanning device, the shape of the laser beam upon incidence on the converging means is elliptical, and the elliptic light has a major axis in a direction substantially parallel to the tangential direction of the rotating and rotating holding means. To have.

An optical scanning device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention forms elliptical light by collimating laser light from semiconductor lasers having different divergence angles in the orthogonal direction by collimating means.

The optical scanning device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention forms the elliptical light by beam-shaping the laser light from the laser having a symmetrical divergence angle.

In the optical scanning device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a yoke is interposed between the magnetic circuit of the rotation drive means and the magnetic circuit of the defocus correction means to separate the two magnetic circuits. Cut off the leakage flux.

In the cassette according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the information is recorded on the medium or the recorded information is read by the light incident from the light transmitting hole provided in a part of the surface of the closed cassette.

The cassette according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention is provided with a hole for arranging the magnet on the side opposite to the transmission hole for the medium.

[0051]

【Example】

Example 1. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 12 are explanatory views when an optical scanning device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to an optical tape device.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the main part of the optical scanning device according to this embodiment. In the figure, 1 is an optical tape coated with a magneto-optical recording medium, 2 is laser light emitted from a light source (not shown), 3 is a disc-shaped holding plate, and 4 is a holding plate 3. A spindle that forms the center of rotation of 3 and a spindle 4
A bearing 6 which holds the support shaft 4 with a gap of several .mu.m and which is slidably rotatable with low friction, is fixed to the holding plate 3, and is provided so as to surround the support shaft 4. A cylindrical movable magnet (which is magnetized in the radial direction), 7 is a cylindrical coil provided on the fixed side so as to face the cylindrical movable magnet 6, and 8 is concentric with the cylindrical movable magnet 6. A yoke 9 made of a magnetic material, which is arranged in an annular shape and constitutes a magnetic circuit between the movable magnet 6 and the cylindrical movable magnet 6, is a projecting portion 10 formed over the entire circumference in a substantially central portion of the annular portion of the yoke 8. The coil group is fixed to the bottom surface of the yoke 8 and is composed of a plurality of coils wound in a direction orthogonal to the support shaft 4 as shown in FIG. Reference numerals 11a to 11d are objective lenses fixedly arranged on the surface of the holding plate 3 as shown in FIG. 2, and are arranged so as to be point-symmetric with respect to the support shaft 4. 12 is provided to face the coil group 10, and the support shaft 4 is provided.
Is a multi-pole magnet that is coupled to a single pole and is integrally formed as shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the shape of the laser beam 2 incident on the objective lenses 11a to 11d, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the optical system of the optical scanning device according to the present embodiment. In the figure, 20 is a semiconductor laser which is a light source, and 21
Is a collimating lens for making a divergent light beam from a semiconductor laser into a parallel light beam, 22 is a phase plate, 23 is a light receiving element for power monitoring of the light emitted from the semiconductor laser 20, 24 is a compound prism, and a polarization beam splitter 24a, It comprises a phase plate 24b and a polarization beam splitter 24c. Reference numeral 25 is a wedge prism, 26 and 27 are converging lenses, 28 is a light receiving element for defocus detection and signal detection, 29 is a light receiving element for track deviation detection and signal detection, and 30 is a semiconductor laser 20 to a light receiving element 29. It is a housing that holds a predetermined positional relationship.

Further, FIG. 7 shows a laser beam 2 and an objective lens 1.
1a to 11d, and FIG. 8 shows a recording track 31 (track pitch P) formed by the optical scanning device of this embodiment. FIGS. 9 and 10 explain the principle of defocus detection. FIGS. 11 and 12 are views for explaining the principle of track deviation detection.

Next, the operation of the optical scanning device according to this embodiment will be described. In FIG. 1, objective lenses 11a-1
1d is attached to the holding plate 3, and the coil group 1 is provided to face the multipole magnet 12 attached to the support shaft 4.
0 causes high speed rotation in the direction of arrow g (eg 1800 rp
m) It is made. This is to energize the coil group 10 to generate a force between the coil group 10 and the multipolar magnet 10 and rotate the holding plate 3 via the support shaft 4.

Further, in the present apparatus, at the same time, the cylindrical coil 7 arranged in the magnetic circuit formed between the cylindrical movable magnet 6 provided on the holding plate 3 and the yoke responds to the magnitude of the focus error signal. By passing a current, the objective lens 11
Defocus correction is performed by moving a to 11d in the optical axis direction (direction of arrow h). At this time, the support shaft 4 and the bearing 5 are configured with a gap of several μm.
Since the polished stainless steel is coated with a low-friction resin such as Teflon, the support shaft 4 can move smoothly with the bearing 5.

The laser beam 2 is made incident on the optical scanning device that operates in this manner to form a focused spot on the optical tape 1,
Recording / reproduction is performed, but in the present invention, FIG.
As shown in (a) and (b), the divergent light from the semiconductor laser 20 is shaped by the collimator lens 21 into an elliptical light flux 2 having a predetermined major axis and minor axis, and the elliptic light flux 2 contains the objective lenses 11a to 11a. Recording / reproduction is performed by scanning 11d. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, when the objective lens 11d passes through the elliptical light flux 2 once, one recording track 16 as shown in FIG. 8 is formed (one reading at the time of reproduction). Then, the recording tracks are formed (or reproduced) on the optical tape 1 by sequentially performing this operation for the other objective lenses 11a to 11d.

At this time, the direction of the elliptical light beam 2 has a major axis in a direction parallel to the tangential direction of the rotating holding plate 3, so that the laser energy of the semiconductor laser 20 can be efficiently used. Is possible.

Next, the configurations of the optical system and the signal detection system of this embodiment will be described. In FIG. 6, the semiconductor laser 2
The laser light emitted from 0 and converted into a predetermined elliptical light flux 2 by the collimator lens 21 is transmitted by the polarization beam splitter 24.
A part of the light is separated by a, is received by the power monitor light-receiving element 23, and is supplied to a feedback control system for keeping the light output constant. Most of the other laser beams pass through the polarization beam splitter 24a, and the objective lens 11
Information is recorded / reproduced by being incident on and scanned by a to 11d and condensed on the medium surface of the optical tape 1.

The laser light reflected by the medium surface is reflected by the polarization beam splitter 24a, and the phase plate 24b,
About half of the light transmitted through the polarization beam splitter 24c is narrowed down by the converging lens 27 and is incident on the light receiving element 29. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the light receiving element 29 has two divided light receiving portions 29a and 29b, and the track shift signal TE is detected by taking the difference output (29a-29b) between them. .

The remaining half of the light reflected by the polarization beam splitter 24c is split into two light beams by the wedge prism 25, narrowed down by the converging lens 26, and then incident on the light receiving element 28. At this time, the wedge prism 25 is preliminarily adjusted so that the two light beams respectively incident on the light receiving element 28 become uniform when focused (FIG. 9).
(B) state). When the surface of the optical tape 1 changes from this state in the optical axis direction (defocus occurs), the state becomes as shown in FIG. 9A or 9B, and (29a + 29d)-(29b
The defocus signal FE is detected by the calculation of + 29c).

By passing a current corresponding to the magnitude and polarity of the defocus signal FE thus detected through the cylindrical coil 7, the objective lenses 11a to 11d are moved in the optical axis direction (h direction). It is moved to correct the defocus.

Further, the track deviation is corrected by controlling the rotation speed of the holding plate 3 or the moving speed of the optical tape 1 by the control means (not shown) according to the magnitude and polarity of the detected track deviation signal TE. To be done.

During reproduction, the difference output of the light receiving elements 28 and 29 (28a + 29b)-(29a + 29)
The reproduced signal is detected from (b + 29c + 29d).

Although a semiconductor laser is used as the light source in this embodiment, this is as shown in FIG.
The light emitted from the semiconductor laser has different divergence angles in directions orthogonal to each other, so that it is merely utilized that the elliptical light flux can be easily formed, and a light source having another symmetrical divergence angle (for example, a He-Ne laser). Alternatively, an elliptical light flux may be formed by known beam shaping.

Further, in the present embodiment, the cylindrical movable magnet 6 and the multi-pole magnet 12 are arranged on the movable side, and the cylindrical coil 7 and the coil group 10 are arranged on the fixed side. It becomes easy to crawl the wiring for supply.

Further, in this embodiment, the projecting portion 9 is formed in the substantially central portion of the yoke 8. However, with this configuration, when the cylindrical movable magnet 6 is displaced in the optical axis direction. A restoring force (a force that is generated in accordance with the displacement direction of the movable magnet 6 and that is substantially proportional to the displacement amount) makes it easy to maintain the neutral point in the focus control direction of the movable portion, and Stability control and a mechanism for holding the movable part are not required.

Further, in this embodiment, the magnetic circuit for rotationally driving the holding plate 3 composed of the coil group 10 and the multi-pole magnet 12 and the focus deviation correction composed of the cylindrical movable magnet 6 and the cylindrical coil 7 are provided. Since the yoke 8 is separated from the magnetic circuit for use in the magnetic field, the magnetic flux for leakage from the magnetic circuit for rotating the holding plate, which generates a relatively strong magnetic field, can be prevented from affecting defocus correction.

Next, the optical tape cassette used in this embodiment will be described. 13 and 14 are diagrams showing the overall configuration and operating state of the optical tape cassette. In the figure, reference numeral 50 denotes a cassette case, which is hermetically sealed to prevent dust. However, although not shown, a hole is provided to allow adjustment of atmospheric pressure with the outside. A supply reel 51 and a take-up reel 52 of the optical tape 1 are housed in the cassette case 50, and can be driven from the outside without contact using, for example, a magnet. Cassette case 5
A transparent plate 53 made of glass, plastic, or the like is provided on the side of the optical tape 1 facing the recording surface of the optical tape 1, and the light flux emitted from the light source and converged by the objective lens 11 can be transmitted. Has become. Further, 54 is a hole provided in the cassette case 50 and hermetically sealed around it. In this portion, a magnet 55 for applying a bias magnetic field when a magneto-optical medium is used as the optical tape 1 is provided.
Are placed. The bias magnetic field applying magnet 55 is 55
A signal is recorded on the optical tape 1 by rotating about a.
Reference numerals 56 and 57 are guide pins.

Example 2. In the first embodiment described above, the case where the optical scanning device of the present invention is applied to the optical tape device has been described, but in the present embodiment, an example in which the optical scanning device is applied to the optical card device will be described.

FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram showing a state of information recording on the optical card 60, and FIG. 16 is a diagram showing information tracks 61 (track pitch P) written on the optical card. The optical system and the light beam scanning unit can be realized with the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the optical card is moved at a low speed in the direction of arrow A, and the light beam is emitted by the optical card 60.
The upper part is scanned in the direction of arrow B at high speed. The scanning range does not necessarily have to be the entire area of the optical card 60, and several areas (two areas X and Y in this embodiment) in the width direction are taken into consideration in consideration of the size and optical characteristics of the device. It is also possible to record / reproduce by dividing into one area). The information track 61 recorded by this method has an arc shape as shown in the figure.

Example 3. The optical scanning device of the present invention can also be applied to a thermal transfer printer device using a semiconductor laser as a light source. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a main part of the printer device configured as described above. In the figure, 70 is film ink and 71 is paper, which moves in the direction of arrow L by a drive mechanism (not shown).

The optical system and the light beam scanning section are constructed in the same manner as in the first or second embodiment. A laser beam 2 emitted from a semiconductor laser is an objective lens 1 provided on a holding plate 3.
Irradiation is performed after forming an elliptical light flux having a sufficiently large diameter for the apertures 1a to 11d. Since the holding plate 3 is rotating at a high speed (for example, 4500 rpm), the objective lenses 11a to 11d sequentially pass through the elliptical light flux and are irradiated onto the film ink 70 as fine (for example, 1 to 2 μmφ) light spots. , The film ink 70 is melted and the paper 71 is melted.
Printed on top. Note that, as described in the conventional example, printing is performed by modulating the semiconductor laser in accordance with the print data. The optical system and the entire light beam scanning unit are slowly fed in the direction of arrow K.

Defocusing of the light spot can be performed in the same manner as in the above embodiment, and the paper 71 of the light spot is used.
The positional deviation in the moving direction can also be corrected by controlling the moving speed of the paper 71 or the moving speed of the optical system and the light beam scanning unit by a control unit (not shown).

[0075]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects.

According to the optical scanning device of the first aspect of the present invention, the condensing means for forming the condensing spot by entering the laser beam, the holding means to which the condensing means is fixed, and the holding means. Driving means for driving the condensing means, the diameter of the laser light when entering the condensing means is made larger than that of the condensing means, and the condensing means passes through the laser light to condense the light. Since the spot is made to scan, there is an effect that the structure for scanning the focused spot becomes simple and a compact device can be obtained.

In the optical scanning device according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the holding means is plate-shaped and the driving means drives the holding means to rotate, the converging spot is continuously scanned. There is an effect that can be easily performed.

According to the optical scanning device of the third aspect of the present invention, the plurality of light converging means fixed to the holding means are provided, and the plurality of light converging means are point-symmetric with respect to the rotation center of the holding means. Since they are arranged, there is an effect that a well-balanced optical scanning can be performed without requiring a special mechanism.

According to the optical scanning device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the converging spot is formed on the medium, and the holding means and the condensing means of the condensing means are formed based on the light from the medium by the converging spot. Since the focus deviation correction means for adjusting the optical axis deviation of the focused spot by moving in the optical axis direction is provided, the optical axis deviation of the focused spot on the medium due to disturbance or the like is eliminated, and recording or reproduction of high density information is performed. Has the effect that it can be performed with high quality.

According to the optical scanning device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is assumed that the focused spot is formed on the moving medium, and the rotation speed of the holding means is based on the light from the medium by the focused spot. Alternatively, since the track shift correction means for controlling the moving speed of the medium and adjusting the position shift of the focused spot is provided, the track shift of the focused spot on the medium due to disturbance or the like is eliminated, and high density information recording or There is an effect that reproduction can be performed with high quality.

According to the optical scanning device of the sixth aspect of the present invention, the laser light upon entering the converging means has an elliptical shape, and the tangential direction of the holding means for rotating the elliptic light. Since they are arranged so as to have a major axis in a direction substantially parallel to each other, it is possible to improve utilization efficiency of energy of incident laser light.

According to the optical scanning device of the seventh aspect of the present invention, the elliptic light is obtained by collimating the laser light from the semiconductor lasers having different divergence angles in the orthogonal direction by the collimating means. There is an effect that elliptical light having a desired diameter can be obtained with a very simple configuration.

According to the optical scanning device of the eighth aspect of the present invention, the elliptical light is obtained by beam-shaping the laser light from the laser having a symmetrical divergence angle.
There is an effect that elliptical light having a desired major axis and minor axis can be easily obtained.

In the optical scanning device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the magnetic circuit of the rotation driving means is composed of the radially magnetized multi-pole magnet and the coil group provided so as to face the multi-pole magnet. A magnetic circuit of the defocus correction means, a cylindrical radial magnetizing magnet, a cylindrical coil provided so as to face the radial magnetizing magnet, and the radial magnetizing magnet, and the cylinder. And a yoke for holding the coil in a form enclosing the coil, and the yoke for holding the coil is arranged between the magnetic circuit of the rotation driving means and the magnetic circuit of the defocus correction means. Since the two magnetic circuits are separated, leakage of magnetic flux from both magnetic circuits does not affect the other circuit, and in particular, defocus correction and track deviation correction can be performed with high accuracy. A.

According to the cassette of claim 10 of the present invention, a medium capable of optically recording or reproducing information,
In a cassette that is provided with at least the medium traveling mechanism, a transmission hole through which light can pass is provided in a part of the surface of the cassette, and the medium is caused by light incident from the outside through the transmission hole. Since the above information is processed, the dustproof effect on the medium is high, and since the medium is not taken out of the cassette and driven at the time of recording / reproducing, there is an effect that the cassette can be prevented from being damaged. is there.

According to the cassette of the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the medium is a medium for magneto-optical recording, and the hole for arranging the magnet is provided on the side opposite to the transmission hole with respect to the medium. Even when recording / reproducing is performed using a magneto-optical medium, the dust-proof effect on the medium is high, and
Since the medium is not taken out of the cassette and driven during reproduction, there is an effect that a cassette capable of preventing damage to the medium can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an essential part of an optical scanning device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main part of the optical scanning device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a rotation driving magnet used in the optical scanning device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a rotation driving coil used in the optical scanning device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a condensed state of emitted light from a semiconductor laser in an optical system of the optical scanning device according to the first example of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an optical system of the optical scanning device according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a relationship between an objective lens and laser light in the optical scanning device according to the first example of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing recording tracks formed on an optical tape by the optical scanning device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an optical system of a defocus detection method of the optical scanning device according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a light receiving element of a defocus detection method of the optical scanning device according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an optical system of a track deviation detection system of the optical scanning device according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a track shift detection type light receiving element of the optical scanning device according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a cassette accommodating an optical tape used in the optical scanning device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a view showing the operation of the cassette accommodating the optical tape used in the optical scanning device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a relationship between an optical card and an objective lens when the optical scanning device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is applied to an optical card device.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing recording tracks formed on an optical card by the optical scanning device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the relationship between the film ink, the paper, and the objective lens when the optical scanning device according to the third embodiment of the present invention is applied to a printer device.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a running system of a conventional optical tape device.

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing a traveling system and an optical scanning device of a conventional optical tape device.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing recording tracks formed on an optical tape by a conventional optical tape device.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an optical scanning device of a conventional optical tape device and its optical system.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an optical scanning device of a conventional optical card device and its optical system.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a main part of an optical scanning device of a conventional thermal transfer printer device.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a main part of another optical scanning device of the conventional thermal transfer printer device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,101 Optical tape 2,122 Laser light 3 Holding plate 4 Spindle 5 Bearing 6 Cylindrical movable magnet 7 Cylindrical coil 8 Yoke 9 Projection part 10 Coil group 11a-11d Objective lens 12 Multipole magnet 20,129 Light source (semiconductor) Laser 21) Collimator lens 28 Light receiving element for detecting defocus 29 Light receiving element for detecting track deviation 31, 61, 116, 128 Recording track 50 Cassette case 51, 107 Supply reel 52, 108 Take-up reel 53 Transparent plate 54 Hole 55 Bias magnetic field Magnet for application 55a Rotating shaft 56, 57, 103, 104 Guide pin 60, 127 Optical card 70, 131 Film ink 71, 132 Paper

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A light condensing means comprising: a light condensing means for forming a condensing spot by entering laser light; a holding means to which the light condensing means is fixed; and a driving means for driving the holding means. The light having a diameter that is larger than that of the light converging means upon incidence on the light condensing means, and the converging spot is scanned by the light converging means passing through the laser light. Scanning device. 2. The optical scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the holding means is plate-shaped, and the driving means rotates and drives the holding means. 3. The light collecting means fixed to the holding means is plural, and the plurality of light collecting means are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to a rotation center of the holding means. The optical scanning device described. 4. The condensing spot is formed on a medium, and the holding means is moved in the optical axis direction of the condensing means based on the light from the medium by the condensing spot. 4. The optical scanning device according to claim 1, further comprising a focus shift correction unit that adjusts the shift of the optical axis of the focused spot. 5. The converging spot is formed on a moving medium, and the rotation speed of the holding means or the moving speed of the medium is controlled based on the light from the medium by the converging spot. 5. The optical scanning device according to claim 1, further comprising a track deviation correcting unit that adjusts a positional deviation of the focused spot. 6. The laser light upon entering the focusing means has an elliptical shape, and the elliptical light is arranged so as to have a major axis in a direction substantially parallel to a tangential direction of the rotating holding means. The optical scanning device according to claim 2, 7. The optical scanning device according to claim 6, wherein the elliptical light is obtained by collimating laser light from semiconductor lasers having different divergence angles in orthogonal directions by a collimating means. 8. The optical scanning device according to claim 6, wherein the elliptical light is obtained by beam-shaping a laser light from a laser having a symmetrical spread angle. 9. The magnetic circuit of the rotation driving means comprises a radially magnetized multi-pole magnet and a coil group provided so as to face the multi-pole magnet, and the magnetic circuit of the defocus correction means comprises: A cylindrical radially magnetized magnet, a cylindrical coil provided so as to face the radially magnetized magnet, and a yoke that faces the radially magnetized magnet and holds the cylindrical coil in such a manner as to enclose the cylindrical coil. And a yoke for holding the coil is arranged between the magnetic circuit of the rotation driving means and the magnetic circuit of the defocus correction means to separate the two magnetic circuits. 9. The optical scanning device according to claim 2, wherein: 10. A cassette, which comprises at least a medium capable of optically recording or reproducing information and a traveling mechanism for the medium and is hermetically sealed, wherein light can pass through a part of the surface of the cassette. A cassette characterized in that a hole is provided and information on the medium is processed by light incident from the outside through the transmission hole. 11. The medium is a medium for magneto-optical recording, and a hole for disposing a magnet is provided on a side of the medium opposite to the transmission hole.
0 described cassette.