JPS61261833A - Image information processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten the handling time of an optical disk and to improve the balance of a head with a simple constitution by providing the head with an objective lens and a prism and then providing a laser oscillator and a collimator lens to the base end part of a head arm. CONSTITUTION:The objective 46 which is moved freely by a lens actuator and the prism are incorporated in the head 48 fitted atop of the head arm provided freely rotatably around a rotating shaft 33 provided outside a recording medium unit. A lambda/4 plate 55, a polarization beam splitter 56, the collimator lens and the laser oscillator 58 are provided to the base end part 49 of the head arm 45 while aligned with the prolongation of the optical axis of the laser beam (a) of the head arm 45; the laser beam (a) is guided to the optical disk 5 and its reflected light is guided to respective optical systems, thereby reading information and detecting a shift in track and an out-of-focus state. Thus, the handling time of the optical disk is shortened and the balance of the head is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an improvement of an image information processing apparatus using an optical disk as an information storage medium.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

Recently, image information processing devices that use optical disks as storage media can greatly increase the amount of information that can be stored compared to magnetic image information processing devices that have been widely used in the past. In addition to providing a stable playback state, the storage state is extremely stable against external influences, and information processing can be performed in a non-contact state, so there are no negative effects such as damage to the storage medium or information processing head. It is becoming more and more widely used due to its characteristics such as:

Furthermore, recently, in order to cope with the increase in the amount of information processing, development of image information processing apparatuses that can handle a plurality of optical disks has been progressing.

However, in conventional image information processing apparatuses capable of handling a plurality of optical disks of this type, an objective lens and a laser oscillator are provided in the head, and optical processing is performed at a location. In this way, conventional image information processing apparatuses have a problem in that it is very difficult to balance the head.

(Objective of the Invention) The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to have a relatively simple and compact structure while handling a plurality of optical discs in a short amount of time. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image information processing apparatus having a configuration in which the head is well balanced.

[Summary of the invention]

In order to achieve the above object, an image information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage medium unit having a plurality of optical disks arranged at a predetermined interval on a drive shaft, and rotates the storage medium unit. However, the configuration is such that a predetermined optical disc is selected and information processing is performed via the head, and the head is provided at the tip of a head arm that is rotatable about a rotation axis located outside the recording medium unit. The head is provided with an objective lens and a prism, and the base end of the head arm is provided with a laser oscillator and a collimator lens.

[Embodiments of the invention]

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the external appearance of the image information processing device X, and reference numeral 1 in the figure indicates the main body of the device having a cover 2 on the top.

An optical disk handling mechanism section 3 and a control section X1 (described below) are housed within the main body 1 of the vl11.

As shown in FIG.
A storage medium unit 6 is provided.

Information processing is performed by selecting a predetermined optical disk 5 while rotating this storage medium unit 6.

In the storage medium unit 6, after the timing disk 7 is fitted onto the drive shaft 4, a plurality of (five in this embodiment) collars 8 and optical disks 5 are fitted alternately, and then, After the upper collar 9 is fitted onto the outside, a nut 11 integrally provided with a handle 10 is screwed to form a unit.

Further, the drive shaft 4 of the storage medium unit 6 extends in the vertical direction, and both ends 4a and 4b thereof are tapered, and one end (lower end) 4a is fitted into the tapered hole 12a of the drive member 12. By fitting the other end (upper end) 4b into the tapered hole 13a of the holding member 13, the drive shaft 4 is held vertically and rotatably.

The holding member 13 that holds the upper end of the drive shaft 4 has its support shaft 13b rotatably held by a bearing 15 provided at the tip of the arm 14.

The arm 14 is mounted such that its base end is rotatable via a support shaft 16 and is always urged in a predetermined direction (six directions of arrows in FIG. 2) by a torsion spring 17 as an urging member. ing. In this way, the drive shaft 4 is pressed with a constant force, and the rotation of the information storage medium unit 6 is maintained stably.

Further, the arm 14 is rotatable in the direction opposite to the arrow direction against the biasing force of the torsion spring 17, so that the holding member 13 can be removed from the upper end of the drive shaft 4 if necessary. It has become. In this state, by holding the handle 10 and lifting it upward, the information storage medium unit 6 can be pulled out of the apparatus main body 1 from the opening 19 formed in the upper frame 18 along the vertical direction. ing.

On the other hand, the drive member 12 that holds the lower end of the drive shaft 4 has its support shaft part 12b rotatably held by a bearing part 21 mounted on the lower frame 20, and also has a gear 25 and a gear. It is configured to be interlocked with a drive shaft 28a of a motor 28 for driving the storage medium unit via a power transmission system consisting of an attached belt 26, teeth 1127, and the like.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, there is a structure near the information storage medium unit 6 which is rotationally driven while the drive shaft 4 is held in the vertical direction. A pair of reading units 30 and 30 as information processing units 1 to 1 are arranged at symmetrical positions.

These reading units 30.30 are connected to a movable member 36 made of an internally threaded member screwed onto a screw shaft 33 rotatably supported by bearings 36-4.35 provided on both the upper and lower frames 18.20, respectively.
It is configured to move up and down in conjunction with the rotation of the screw shaft 33.

These reading units 30, 30 each include a head arm assembly 31 and a head arm assembly swinging mechanism section 32 that swings the head arm assembly 31 by a required amount. Further, the head arm assembly swinging mechanism section 32 is provided with a pair of guide rollers 37, 37, which are in rolling contact with a guide shaft 38 provided parallel to the screw shaft 33 sandwiched therebetween from both sides. , the head arm assembly swing mechanism section 32 itself is prevented from rotating about the screw shaft 33. On the other hand, the head arm assembly 31 is rotatably attached to the movable member 36 via a bearing 39, and the head arm assembly 31 is rotated by the action of the head arm assembly swinging mechanism 32. It is configured to swing along the radial direction of the optical disk (direction of arrow 8 in FIG. 3), that is, along the horizontal direction orthogonal to the direction in which the drive shaft 4 extends.

Further, the head arm assembly 31 has a configuration as shown in FIG. That is, the reference numeral 45 in the figure indicates a head arm having a head 48 having a built-in objective lens 46 and a prism 47 that are movable by a lens actuator (not shown) at its tip. This head arm 45
is held by a main member 49 attached to the movable member 36 via a bearing 39. The base end of the head arm 45 is rotatably held via a bearing 50 provided on the main member 49, and a helad arm rotation motor 51 is provided in the middle of the base end.
A driven gear 54 is attached which interlocks with a drive gear 52 attached to the drive shaft of the drive shaft via an intermediate gear 53. The head 48 is configured to be able to rotate 180 degrees in forward and reverse directions by driving the motor 51 so as to be able to face both sides of the optical disk 5. At this time, the center of rotation of the head arm 45 equipped with the head 48 is aligned with the center of the optical axis of the laser beam a, so that the reading operation is not adversely affected.

The main member 49 has a λ/4 state that corresponds to the extension line of the optical axis of the laser beam a of the herad arm 45.
A plate 55, a polarizing beam splitter 56, a collimator lens 57, and a laser oscillator 58 are arranged, and the laser beam a is guided to the optical disk 5, and the reflected light is deflected by 90 degrees by the polarizing beam splitter 56. It looks like this. A half prism 60, a light projecting lens 61, and a photodetector 62 are arranged in the direction of polarization of the reflected light by the polarizing beam splitter 56 to read information and detect track deviation. Further, a light projecting lens 63 and a photodetector 64 are arranged in the direction of reflection of the light reflected by the half prism 60 to detect out-of-focus.

On the other hand, the helad arm assembly swinging mechanism 32 has a configuration as shown in FIG. 5. That is, the head arm assembly swing mechanism 32 includes the holder 70 and the holder 7.
It is held at 0 and consists of a near motor machine 4i171.

As described above, the holder 70 is attached to the movable member 36 in a state where it is prevented from rotating by rolling the pair of guide rollers 37 and 37 into contact with the guide shirts 1 to 38, and the linear motor mechanism 71 is , yokes 72a, 72b172c arranged at predetermined intervals; magnets 73a, 73b closely arranged on the inner surfaces of the yokes 72a, 72c located at both ends;
It has a configuration including a bodon 74 which is IXed, and a coil 75 wound around the bogon 74. (See FIGS. 2 and 5) The coil 75 wound around the bobbin 74 is attached to the helad arm assembly 31 side,
The head arm assembly is configured to be rotated by a predetermined angle by applying a drive signal voltage to the coil.

Further, the light emitting element 77 and the light receiving element 78 are arranged in such a state that the optical axis intersects with the movement locus of the head arm assembly 31 which is rotated by a predetermined angle by the head arm swinging mechanism 32. , optical detection means 79 for detecting whether or not the head arm 48 has come out of the optical disc 5.
has been configured. (See FIGS. 2 and 3) The head arm 48 is configured to prevent the reading unit 30 from moving up and down while facing the optical disc 5, and to reliably prevent collisions between the two.

Further, a drive system for driving the screw shafts 33 and 33 for vertically moving the reading unit 30130 has the following configuration. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the lower end of the screw shaft 33 has a drive gear 81 attached to a drive shaft 80a of a motor 80 for moving the reading unit, and a driven gear 8 that interlocks with the drive gear 81 via a toothed belt 82.
3 is now installed. And the control section ×
The motor 80 rotates in the forward or reverse direction in response to the movement signal sent from 1, thereby rotating the screw shaft 33 in a predetermined direction, and the reading unit 30 moves a predetermined amount either up or down (in the direction of arrow C). It is configured to do this.゛Also, the amount of rotation of the screw shaft 33 is determined by a timing desk 85 attached to the screw shirt 1 33 and a detector 86 attached to the lower frame 20.
It is configured to be able to move the reading unit 30 to a predetermined position and to move the reading unit 30 to a predetermined position.
This structure prevents inertial rotation of the screw shaft 33 and improves stopping accuracy.

The rotation angle of the storage medium unit 6 is detected by a timing disk 7 attached to the drive shaft 4 and a detector 89 attached to the lower flavor 20 via a holder 88. There is. (See FIG. 2) Further, 90 shown in FIG. 1 is an operating section provided at the front end edge of the cover 2 for opening and closing the upper part of the device main body 1.
91 shown in FIG. 2 are guide bodies that guide the insertion and removal of the storage medium unit 6, and these guide bodies 91...
* is placed in a position that does not interfere with the movement of the head arm 45.45.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the structure of the optical disc 5 used in this embodiment will be explained. This optical disc 5
includes a pair of disk-shaped substrates 5a made of, for example, transparent plastic plates. A rotation center hole 5b into which the drive shaft 5 of the image information processing device is inserted is formed at the rotation center of each of these substrates 5a. Further, on one side of each of these substrates 5a, an annular information forming layer 5G consisting of a recording layer or a light reflecting layer is formed with an intermediate protective layer 5d interposed between the information forming layer 5G and the substrate 5a.

An outer spacer 5E and an inner spacer 5f, which are arranged concentrically with each other, are interposed between the substrates 58 so that the image information forming layers 5C face each other, and a hollow space is formed between the mutually opposing surfaces of the image information forming layers 5G. They are pasted together to form a portion 5G. The optical disc 5 is constructed in this manner.

Here, the thickness of the substrate 5a is required to be at least Q, 3 mm so that even if minute dust adheres to the surface of the optical disk 5, information processing such as writing and reading will not be hindered. In order to converge the laser beam with the aperture lens, it is desirable that the diameter is 5 mm or less. Considering strength, economy, etc., a transparent acrylic plate with a diameter of 1.0 to 5 mm is suitable.

On the information forming layer 5C of the optical disc 5 constructed in this manner, records 1 to 5h are formed in a spiral manner. This recording l-rack 5h has an upper information forming layer 5.
In G, as shown in the bottom view in FIG. 7A, it is formed so as to swell outward in the radial direction as it extends clockwise. On the other hand, also in the lower information recording layer 5C, as shown in the top view in FIG. 7B, the recording i
- The rack 5h is formed so as to expand radially outward as it extends clockwise.

That is, when this optical disc 5 is seen through from above,
The recording tracks 5h formed on the upper information forming layer 5G and the recording tracks 5h formed on the lower information recording layer 5C appear to spiral in opposite directions.

In this way, since two recording tracks 5h are formed on one optical disc 5, one recording track 5h is numbered from the inside to the outside, while the other recording track 5h is numbered from the inside to the outside. In 5h, track numbers are assigned from the outside to the inside. Here, the stamper for manufacturing the recording track 5h formed on the upper information forming layer 5G] and the stamper for manufacturing the recording track 5h formed on the lower information forming layer N5C are the same. can be configured,
The manufacturing cost of the optical disc 5 can be reduced.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of image information processing apparatuses X described above are installed, and each image information processing apparatus @X is provided with one control section for driving and controlling the drive mechanism. There is. Further, the number of processing circuits Y is smaller than the number of heads 48, for example, two in this embodiment. Furthermore, a plurality of host computers 2 are provided to control all the image information processing devices X and processing circuits Y.

These image information processing device X, processing circuit Y, and host computer Z constitute an image information processing system. Here, each head 48 is selected and managed by one of the processing circuits Y, as will be described later.

Further, a position detection mechanism 100 for accurately detecting the axial position of the reading unit 30, in other words, for accurately maintaining the distance between the head 48 and the optical disk 5 at a predetermined value, will be described.

This position detection mechanism 100 includes a first detection mechanism 101 that roughly detects the axial position of the reading unit 30, and a head 4.
8 and the optical disc 5.

The first detector 41101, as shown in FIG. 2, is composed of the timing disk 85 and the detector 86 described above. As shown in FIG. 9, slits 85a are formed at equal intervals on the outer peripheral edge of the timing disk 85. As shown in FIG. The detector 86 includes a light emitting element 86a and a light receiving element 86B that detects the light reflected by the timing disk 85 out of the light emitted from the light emitting element 86a. The detection level of the light receiving element 86b as the timing disk 85 rotates is as shown in FIG. Here, the control section x1 digitally detects the amount of rotation of the timing disk 85, that is, the axial position of the reading unit 30, very roughly by counting the peaks. In addition, based on the fact that the change in the detected amount from one peak to the next peak is approximately linear, the control section Detection is somewhat rough. In this manner, the axial position of the reading unit 30 is roughly detected by the first detection mechanism 101.

On the other hand, the second detection mechanism 102 for precisely detecting the distance between the head 48 and the optical disk 5 uses the XVX front lens 63 and the photodetector 64 described above.
It uses a so-called focus detection mechanism. The output waveform of the detection signal from the photodetector 64 is transmitted to the first detection mechanism 10.
With the rough position control completed in step 2, the optical disc 5 begins to exhibit a certain pattern as it rotates. That is, there is a first region where focus control is not possible at all, a third region where focus control is possible, and a region located between the first region and the third region, where it is not possible to control the focus in one go. There is a second area indicating that there is not, but it is close, and as the optical disc 5 rotates, the area changes to 1-2-3-2-1-2-3-2.
It will change sequentially as -1...

Here, the control unit x1 checks the output waveform from the photodetector 64 and determines the current relationship between the optical disc 5 and the head 48 based on the relative relationship between the pattern that appears and the distance between the optical disc and the head 48. Recognize how far apart you are. In this way, the second detection mechanism 102 determines the optimal position of the head 48. In this way, the position of the head 48 is accurately detected by the position detection mechanism 100, and the position of the head 48 is
is accurately positioned at a predetermined distance from the optical disc 5 by the control unit x1.

In addition, in order to detect which disk the reading unit 30 is located between, the end face of the head 48 is removed from the storage medium unit 6 and moved in the axial direction. A detector 104 is provided at a portion facing the end surface of the optical disc 5. This detector 104 includes a light emitting element 104a and a light emitting element 104a.
The light receiving element 104b receives light reflected from the end surface of the optical disc 5 among the light emitted from the optical disc 4a.

Based on the detection result from this light receiving element 104b, the control unit
1 detects the number of times the reflected light is incident, and then reads the reading unit 30.
It is determined which optical disk 5 is located between.

Next, the operation of the image information processing device X having the above configuration will be explained.

First, by operating the operating section 90, the optical disk handling mechanism section 3 becomes operational, and the host computer 2. ll! The first logic circuit Y1 is connected to the display device, printer device, etc.

Then, the storage medium unit 6 including the plurality of optical discs 5 starts rotating at a predetermined speed.

On the other hand, an information retrieval signal from one control section causes one of the reading units 30 to move upward or downward (arrow C in FIG.
direction) and stops at a predetermined position, the head arm assembly 31 of the reading unit h30 moves in the radial direction of the optical disc 5 (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 48 faces the predetermined search information and starts the reading operation.

At this time, another reading unit 30 is in a standby state in advance to read the information of the next selected optical disc 5. As soon as the reading operation of the predetermined information forming layer 5G is completed, the next reading operation is started.

Further, when the information formation layer 5C of the optical disc 5 being read and the information formation layer 5C of the optical disc 5 to be read next are in a state adjacent to each other, for example, the lower part of the optical disc 5 second from the top in FIG. Read the information formation layer 15c, and then read the information formation layer 5C above the third optical disc 5 from the top.
When reading the information of the same reading unit 30
Use it as is, and replace the Herad arm 45 currently in use with 1
It will be read by rotating it 80 degrees. Here, as is clear from FIG. 2, an objective lens 46 and a prism 47 are disposed within the head 48. In this way, the height of the head 48 is greater than half the distance between two adjacent optical disks 5. Therefore, it is impossible to simply rotate the head arm 45 by 180 degrees at this reading position. Therefore, the control section x1 causes the head arm assembly swinging mechanism section 32 to drive the head arm 45 in order to remove the head arm 45 from the single storage medium unit 6. In this way, the head arm 45 is rotated 180 degrees in the state of being taken out from the optical disc 5, and is driven to be positioned between the optical discs 5 again.

In addition, when replacing the information storage medium unit 6 for some reason, after opening the cover 2, move the arm 14 in the direction opposite to the arrow in FIG. 2 against the biasing force of the biasing body 17. By rotating, the holding member 13 is removed from the upper end of the drive shaft 4. Next, the information storage medium unit 6 is held by the handle 10 attached to the upper end and handled upward.

It goes without saying that at this time, the head arms 45, 45 of both reading units 30, 30 are automatically retracted in advance to a position where they will not collide with the optical disk 5.

Here, with reference to FIG. 8, a plurality of image information processing devices
The operation of the image information processing system equipped with the following will be explained.

The two processing circuits Y described above are connected to all the reading units 30, respectively. That is, each processing lid circuit Y manages all the reading units 30 in v rows.

In this state, the system sequentially connects a plurality of host combination coaters Z and two processing circuits Y to each other in a time-sharing manner. Here, in the first host computer Z, from the fifth optical disk 5 from the top of the first image information processing device x, 1-rack number 1000. Assume that a command is given to read the information of sector 1 number 6. Therefore, the first
When the host computer Z is connected to the first processing circuit Y, the host computer Z determines whether the first processing circuit Y is free.

If the first processing circuit Y is vacant, then the connection state between the first processing circuit Y and one of the reading units 30 of the first image information processing device X is checked. If one reading unit 30 is already not occupied by the second processing circuit Y and is free, the host computer Z checks the free status of the other reading unit 30, and if the other reading unit 30 is also free. If it is vacant, the host computer 7 determines which reading unit 30 is closer to the fifth optical disk 5, and selects the reading unit 3 that is closer to the fifth optical disk 5.
0 to access the fifth optical disk 5. Here, if the other reading unit 30 is not available, one reading unit 30 is made to access the fifth optical disc 5.

Furthermore, if one reading unit 30 h<-1 is occupied by the second processing circuit Y, it is determined whether the other reading unit h 30 is free, and if it is empty, the second reading unit 30 to access the fifth optical disc 5. Further, if the second reading unit 30 is also not available, it will be in a standby state until one of the reading units 30 becomes available.

On the other hand, assuming that the first processing circuit Y is already occupied, the computer Z to the host 1 determines whether the second processing circuit Y is free, and if it is free, the following is the case for the first processing circuit Y. Boss 1 to computer 2 operate in the same manner. However, if the second processing circuit Y is also not available, the process will be in a standby state until one of the processing circuits Y becomes available. In this way, no matter how many image information processing apparatuses X there are, they can all be managed by two processing circuits Y.

Further, both ends 4a, 4 of the drive shaft 4 of the storage medium unit 6
b has a tapered shape, and these both ends 4a, 4b
The tapered hole 12a of the driving member 12 and the holding member 13,
Since the storage medium unit 6 is held rotatably by being fitted and connected to each of the storage medium units 13a, it is extremely easy to install and remove the storage medium unit 6, and alignment can be performed automatically.

Here, it has been explained that five optical discs 5 are loaded in the storage medium unit 6 mentioned above.

However, in this embodiment, any number of optical discs 5 can be loaded. A case where two optical disks 5 are loaded into the storage medium unit 6 will be described with reference to FIG. 11.

As shown in the figure, a first optical disc 5 is placed on the lowermost collar 8, and this first optical disc 5
A second collar 8 is placed on top, and a second optical disc 5 is placed on top of this second collar 8. Three sets of auxiliary collars 8a having the same thickness as the collar 8 and the optical disc 25 are placed on the second optical disc 5. In this way, even if only two optical discs 5 are missing, the storage medium unit 6 will be attached to the optical disc handling mechanism section 3 in exactly the same way as when there are five optical discs 5.

In this embodiment, a plurality of heads 48, for example two heads 48, are used for one uniform information processing apparatus X.
For example, five optical discs 5 are processed. Here, it becomes possible to preformat two optical discs 5 using two heads 48 at the same time. In this way, the time required for preformatting is cut in half, improving operability.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As detailed above, the image information processing device according to this defense includes a storage medium unit in which a plurality of optical disks are arranged at a predetermined interval on a drive shaft, and the storage medium unit is rotated. The image information processing apparatus selects a predetermined optical disc and processes information through a head, and the head rotates around a rotation axis located outside the recording medium unit. It is attached to the tip of a movable head arm, the head is provided with an objective lens and a prism, and the base end of the head arm is provided with a laser oscillator and a collimator lens.

Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided an image information processing apparatus which has a relatively simple and compact structure, can handle a plurality of optical disks in a short amount of time, and has a well-balanced head. will be provided.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of an image information processing device, FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing the configuration of a disk handling mechanism, and FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway plan view showing the head arm assembly of the reading unit. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the head arm assembly of the reading unit. vJ
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the optical disk; FIG. 7A is a bottom view showing the information forming layer on the upper side of the optical disk; FIG. 7B is a plan view showing the information forming layer on the lower side of the optical disk. FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing the image information processing system; FIG. 9 is a top view showing the timing disk; FIG. 10 is the detection layer of the light receiving element as the timing disk rotates. FIG. 11 is a side view showing an image information processing apparatus in which only two optical discs are installed. X...Image information processing device, 4...Drive shaft, 5.
...optical disk, 6...storage medium unit, 45
...Head arm, 46...Objective lens, 47
...prism, 48...head. 57... Collimator lens, 5B... Laser oscillator. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue 11

Claims (1)

[Claims] A storage medium unit including a plurality of optical disks arranged at a predetermined interval on a drive shaft is provided, and a predetermined optical disk is selected while rotating the storage medium unit and the head is moved. The image information processing apparatus is configured to perform information processing through An image information processing device characterized in that the head arm is provided with an objective lens and a prism, and the base end of the head arm is provided with a laser oscillator and a collimator lens.