US20080120630A1

US20080120630A1 - Optical disk writer

Info

Publication number: US20080120630A1
Application number: US11/906,173
Authority: US
Inventors: Kirk Lamberth
Original assignee: Amtren Corp
Current assignee: Amtren Corp
Priority date: 2001-07-02
Filing date: 2007-10-01
Publication date: 2008-05-22
Also published as: US7146620B2; US20050125815A1; US7305684B2; US6848113B2; US20070076537A1; US20030002400A1

Abstract

An optical disk writer is provided. The writer includes a disk drive capable of receiving an optical disk. The disk drive has a reclosable drawer and an arm that is configured to retrieve the optical disk from a first storage area. The arm is also configured to place the optical disk into the reclosable drawer. The arm is configured to remove the optical disk from said reclosable drawer and to place the optical disk at a second storage area. The arm is stationary with respect to rotation about an axis oriented in the vertical direction.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/607,738 filed on Dec. 1, 2006, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/041,562, filed on Jan. 24, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,146,620, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/897,257, filed on Jul. 2, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,848,113 all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an optical disk writer capable of writing to optical disks. More particularly, the present application involves an automatic optical disk writer that can write to a plurality of optical disks by automatically inserting and removing optical disks from a disk drive.

BACKGROUND

Optical disks are capable of storing digital data such as music, text or video. The data takes the form of depressions on the surface of the optical disk that can be read through the use of a laser. CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-RAM and DVD-Video are a few of the commonly employed optical disk formats. In order to impart data onto an optical disk an optical disk writer may be employed. In this regard, the user must open a drawer of the optical disk writer and place the optical disk thereon. The user will then close the drawer and execute a series of computer commands that cause a laser in the optical disk writer to interact with dye in the optical disk and form the aforementioned depressions that can be later read as digital data. Although described as being written through the use of a laser, other methods such as stamping are known for imparting data onto optical disks. Once the writing process is complete, the user must open the drawer of the optical disk writer and remove the optical disk therefrom.
In order to produce a large quantity of optical disks with desired data a large amount of labor must be employed. As such, automatic optical disk writers are known for creating multiple optical disks with minimum effort. Such devices employ mechanical mechanisms that automatically insert and remove the optical disks from one or more optical disk writers included in the device. Other automated processes such as application of printed labels to the disks can be incorporated into the device to further reduce the amount of labor associated with producing a volume of optical disks.
One such known automatic optical disk writer includes a magazine capable of holding a number of blank optical disks for writing. A tower with a vertical rod onto which an arm is positioned is also included. The arm can move up and down the vertical rod and is also arranged to be able to swivel about the vertical rod. In use, the arm can swivel about the vertical rod until it is positioned over the magazine of blank optical disks. The arm can then be moved down onto the top optical disk in the magazine and engaged therewith. In this regard, the arm can include a pick or other device capable of grasping and holding the optical disk. The disk can then be moved by the arm and placed into a reclosable drawer of an optical disk writer. The reclosable drawer can be automatically closed and a writing process may be performed on the optical disk. A second optical disk writer is also included so that a second writing can be performed on another optical disk that is subsequently placed therein through use of the same arm.
Once the optical disk is written thereon, the reclosable drawer is opened and the arm removes the optical disk and transports it to a printer located directly above the optical disk writers. A printed label can then be automatically applied to the optical disk. Subsequently, the arm may again be used to pick up and remove the optical disk from the printer. The arm may again be moved vertically and swiveled so that the optical disk is located above a spindle. The arm can release the disk onto the spindle for storage for later retrieval by the user. Control of the various components of the automatic optical disk writer can be achieved through the use of software and/or a microprocessor directly integrated into the writer.
The present application is directed towards an improved automatic optical disk writer that features components that exhibit reliability and that is arranged in a manner so as to enjoy more desirable spatial characteristics.

SUMMARY

Various features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned from practice of the invention.
One aspect of one exemplary embodiment includes an optical disk writer that has a disk drive capable of receiving an optical disk. A track member is included and defines a track having a vertical portion, a horizontal portion and a curved portion intermediate the vertical portion and horizontal portion. An arm is configured to move the optical disk. The arm is configured for movement along the vertical portion, horizontal portion and curved portion of the track.
Another aspect of an additional exemplary embodiment resides in an optical disk writer as immediately discussed in which the track is a slot.
A further aspect of another exemplary embodiment is found in an optical disk writer as discussed above that has a gear configured for being rotated at least partially about an axis. A bracket is attached to the gear, and a sliding member is in sliding engagement with the bracket and is attached to the arm. Rotation of the gear causes the arm to be moved along the track.
Another aspect of a further exemplary embodiment is found in an optical disk writer as immediately discussed that also includes a motor and a pinion driven by the motor. The gear has internal teeth that mesh with the pinion so that when the motor drives the pinion the pinion drives the internal teeth to rotate the gear at least partially about the axis.
A further aspect of another exemplary embodiment resides in an optical disk writer as previously discussed in which the arm has a rod and a roller disposed through the track. The roller surrounds at least a portion of the rod and is configured to rotate with respect to the rod.
Another aspect of another exemplary embodiment is provided in an optical disk as previously mentioned in which the arm is stationary with respect to rotation about an axis oriented in the vertical direction.
An additional aspect of a further exemplary embodiment is found in a disk drive capable of receiving an optical disk. The disk drive has a reclosable drawer. An arm is included and is configured to retrieve the optical disk from a first storage area and to place the optical disk into the reclosable drawer. The arm is configured to remove the optical disk from the reclosable drawer of the disk drive and to place the optical disk at a second storage area. The arm is stationary with respect to rotation about an axis oriented in the vertical direction.
Also provided in accordance with another aspect of an additional exemplary embodiment is an optical disk writer as immediately discussed that further includes a track member that defines a track in the shape of a slot with a vertical portion, a horizontal portion and a curved portion intermediate the vertical portion and horizontal portion. The arm is configured for movement along the vertical portion, horizontal portion and curved portion of said track.
An additional exemplary embodiment is provided in an optical disk writer as immediately discussed in which the track member has a planar face. The vertical portion, horizontal portion and curved portion are defined through the planar face. The vertical portion, horizontal portion and curved portion are oriented in the same plane.
Another aspect of an additional exemplary embodiment is present in an optical disk writer as mentioned previously that further includes a gear configured for being rotated at least partially about an axis. A bracket is attached to the gear. A sliding member is in sliding engagement with the bracket and is attached to the arm. Rotation of the gear causes the arm to be moved along the track.
Yet another aspect of an additional exemplary embodiment resides in an optical disk writer as immediately mentioned that further includes a motor. A pinion is present and is driven by the motor. The gear has internal teeth that mesh with the pinion so that when the motor drives the pinion the pinion drives the internal teeth to rotate the gear at least partially about the axis of the gear.
A further aspect of another exemplary embodiment is present in an optical disk writer as mentioned above in which the gear has a plurality of spaced projections located along at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the gear. Also included is a sensor for sensing movement of the spaced projections for use in determining the location of the arm.
Also provided in accordance with another exemplary embodiment is an optical disk writer that has a motor and a pinion driven by the motor. A gear is present and is in communication with the pinion and is configured for being at least partially rotated. A sliding member is carried by the gear and is configured for moving linearly with respect to the gear. An arm is attached to the sliding member. The arm is configured to move an optical disk. The arm is stationary with respect to rotation about an axis oriented in the vertical direction. At least a portion of the arm is configured to rotate at least partially around an axis oriented in the horizontal direction. A track member is also present and defines a track that is a slot having a vertical portion, a horizontal portion and a curved portion intermediate the vertical portion and horizontal portion. The arm is disposed through the track and moves along the vertical portion, horizontal portion and curved portion of the track when moved by the sliding member.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, which makes reference to the appended Figs. in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical disk writer in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the optical disk writer of FIG. 1 in which an arm is located proximate to a magazine of optical disks.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the optical disk writer of FIG. 1 in which an arm is located proximate to a spindle that receives optical disks after being written thereon.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the optical disk writer of FIG. 1 when configured as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the optical disk writer of FIG. 1 when configured as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the optical disk writer of FIG. 1 when configured as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the optical disk writer of FIG. 1 when configured as shown in FIG. 1.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield still a third embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations.
It is to be understood that the ranges mentioned herein include all ranges located within the prescribed range. As such, all ranges mentioned herein include all sub-ranges included in the mentioned ranges. For instance, a range from 100-200 also includes ranges from 110-150, 170-190, and 153-162. Further, all limits mentioned herein include all other limits included in the mentioned limits. For instance, a limit of up to 7 also includes a limit of up to 5, up to 3, and up to 4.5.
The present invention provides for an optical disk writer 10 that can be used to automatically write data to an optical disk 14. The optical disk writer 10 includes an arm 20 that is capable of moving the optical disk 14 from a first storage area 80 to a disk drive 12 and afterwards to a second storage area 82 once the desired data has been written to the optical disk 14. The arm 20 may be moved along a track 24 that includes a vertical portion 26, a horizontal portion 28 and a curved portion 30. The track 24 is arranged so that the arm 20 may move the optical disk 14 to locations of the optical disk writer 10 useful in the automatic writing process. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the arm 20 is arranged so that it is stationary with respect to rotation about a vertical axis 84 of the arm 20.
One exemplary embodiment of the optical disk writer 10 is shown in FIG. 1. The optical disk writer 10 includes a single disk drive 12 capable of recording data onto an optical disk 14. The data recorded can be text, audio, video or any combination thereof. A variety of disk drives 12 can be used in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments for writing data at various speeds to optical disks 14 that can be CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-RAM or DVD-Video in type. Although only a single disk drive 12 is shown, it is to be understood that other exemplary embodiments exist in which multiple disk drives 12 can be included in order to speed the writing process in generating a large amount of written-to optical disks 14. The disk drive 12 rests in a generally horizontal orientation on base 90 so that a reclosable drawer 78 of the disk drive 12 moves in a generally horizontal manner when opening and closing. Although shown as being oriented generally horizontally, the disk drive 12 can be vertically oriented in accordance with other exemplary embodiments so that the reclosable drawer 78 moves in the vertical direction when opening and closing.
A plurality of optical disks 16 can be located at a first storage area 80 of the optical disk writer 10. The plurality of optical disks 16 are optical disks that have not yet had data recorded thereto by the disk drive 12. As shown, the first storage area 80 is a magazine 34. The plurality of optical disks 16 rest on a support 92 of the magazine 34 and are contained by three columns 94. The support 92 can be made of plastic and may be attached to base 90. It is to be understood that the configuration of the first storage area 80 is but one possible configuration and that others are possible in accordance with further exemplary embodiments.
An arm 20 can be used to remove an optical disk 14 from the magazine 34. FIG. 2 shows a configuration of the optical disk writer 10 in which the arm 20 is positioned on top of the plurality of optical disks 16 to remove the top optical disk 14. The arm 20 includes a pick 32 that is disposed through a center aperture of optical disk 14 and engages the optical disk 14 to retain the optical disk 14 thereon. The arm 20 can then move away from the magazine 34 with the optical disk 14 attached to the pick 32 so that the optical disk 14 is removed from the plurality of optical disks 16. The pick 32 can be arranged in a variety of manners. For instance, the pick 32 may be provided as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,848,113 B2 or U.S. Pat. No. 7,146,620 B2. The entire contents of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,848,113 B2 and 7,146,620 B2 are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties for all purposes. The pick 32 is thus used to hold onto and subsequently release the optical disk 14 at a desired location.
A track member 22 is provided and is mounted onto base 90 and located adjacent the disk drive 12. Track member 22 defines a track 24 through which the arm 20 is disposed. Track 24 may be a slot and can have a vertical portion 26, horizontal portion 28 and a curved portion 30 that is intermediate the vertical and horizontal portions 26 and 28. The arm 20 can be configured to move along the track 24. Comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2 demonstrates two such positions of the arm 20 along track 24. As shown in FIG. 2, the arm 20 is located in the vertical portion 26 of track 24. The arm 20 is at an end 38 of the vertical portion 26 that is proximate to the first storage area 80. Upon retrieving the optical disk 14, the arm 20 can be moved vertically upwards along the vertical portion 26 to an area that allows the reclosable drawer 78 to open. Subsequently, the pick 32 can drop the optical disk 14 onto the open reclosable drawer 78 and which time the reclosable drawer 78 may close and data may be written onto the optical disk 14.
Once writing is complete, the reclosable drawer 78 can be opened and the written to optical disk 14 can be removed by pick 32. The arm 20 can be moved along track 24 to an end 40 of the horizontal portion 28 as shown in FIG. 3. The optical disk writer 10 can include a second storage area 82 that receives the recorded optical disk 14. The second storage area 82 may be a spindle 36 that is located on top of the disk drive 12. Once the arm 20 is properly positioned, the pick 32 may release the optical disk 14 so that a center aperture of optical disk 14 is moved over spindle 36. A plurality of optical disks 18 that have data written thereto by the disk drive 12 can be located on the spindle 36. Although shown as a spindle 36 it is to be understood that the second storage area 82 can be variously configured in accordance with other exemplary embodiments. For instance, the second storage area 82 may be provided in a manner similar to magazine 34 as previously discussed.
The track 24 is arranged to allow the arm 20 to move in a vertical direction and in a horizontal direction. The illustrated configuration allows the optical disk 14 to be properly positioned for automatic writing without requiring the arm 20 to rotate about a vertical axis 84. Therefore, in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments the arm 20 may be stationary with respect to rotation about the vertical axis 84 of arm 20. Axis 84 may be oriented in the same direction as spindle 36 and can be perpendicular to the direction of opening and closing of the reclosable drawer 78. It is to be understood, however, that other arrangements of the optical disk writer 10 are possible in which the arm 20 and/or track 24 can be variously arranged. For example, the track 24 need not be a slot in other exemplary embodiments but may instead simply be an edge of the track member 22 or other component or combination of components. Although shown as having a planar face 23, the track member 22 need not have a planar configuration in other embodiments. The track member 22 may have multiple tracks 24 in other exemplary embodiments. Further, it is to be understood that other arrangements of the optical disk writer 10 exist in which the track member 22 need not be present.
FIG. 4 shows a side view of the optical disk writer 10 with a cover removed in order to illustrate certain components associated with movement of the arm 20. FIG. 4 is a side view of the optical disk writer 10 oriented as previously shown in FIG. 1 with the arm 20 located at the same position along track 24. A gear 42 is mounted onto the track member 22 and can rotate thereon. The gear 42 can have limited rotation so that it rotates up to 120° about its axis of rotation 44. Other configurations are possible in which the gear 42 can rotate completely about its axis of rotation 44. A motor 56 mounted onto base 90 and housed below the disk drive 12 is used to drive the gear 42. In this regard, motor 56 acts to turn a pinion 58 that meshes with internal teeth 60 of gear 42. Rotation of the shaft of motor 56 causes the pinion 58 to rotate which in turn causes gear 42 to rotate about its axis of rotation 44. Although arranged as having internal teeth 60 and thus forming at least a partial internal gear, the gear 42 can be a spur gear or may be variously configured in other exemplary embodiments of the optical disk writer 10.
A bracket 46 is mounted onto the gear 42 and engages a sliding member 48. The bracket 46 is fixed onto gear 42 so that these two elements do not move with respect to one another. Sliding member 48 is in sliding engagement with bracket 46 and moves linearly therewith. Due to the fixed relationship between gear 42 and bracket 46 the sliding member 48 can also move linearly with respect to gear 42. The sliding member 48 is attached to arm 20 which extends through the track 24. It is therefore the case that rotation of gear 42 is translated into movement of arm 20 by way of the engagement between gear 42, bracket 46 and sliding member 48. FIG. 5 is a side view that shows the optical disk writer 10 in the same orientation as that of FIG. 2. Specifically, the arm 20 is positioned onto an end 38 of the vertical portion 26 of track 24 in order to retrieve an optical disk 14 from magazine 34. As the arm 20 is fixed to move along track 24, the sliding member 48 attached thereto must move linearly with respect to the bracket 46 in order to accommodate the fixed rotation of gear 42 and the restrained movement of the arm 20. The position of arm 20 in FIG. 5 causes the sliding member 48 to move on bracket 46 closer to the axis of rotation 44 than in the orientation of FIG. 4. The sliding member 48 accommodates changes in the distance between the track 24 and the axis of rotation 44 of gear 42 as the arm 20 moves along track 24.
FIG. 6 shows a side view of the optical disk writer 10 when placed into the orientation shown in FIG. 3 in which the arm 20 is located at an end 40 of the horizontal portion 28 of the track 24 when delivering optical disks 14 to the spindle 36. The sliding member 48 is located at a different position with respect to the gear 42 and the bracket 46 than in the orientation of FIG. 4. The sliding member 48 has a pair of hooks that accept ends of springs 50 and 52. The springs 50 and 52 are attached on opposite ends to hooks formed into the gear 42 and thus act to bias the sliding member 48 on bracket 46 away from the axis of rotation 44 of gear 42. The springs 50 and 52 can be provided in order to tighten the engagement between arm 20, gear 42, bracket 46 and sliding member 48 so that the engagement does not exhibit a certain amount of play but is instead more predicable in nature. However, it is to be understood that other arrangements exist in which the springs 50 and 52 are not incorporated into the optical disk drive writer 10.
A portion of the outer perimeter of gear 42 includes spaced projections 62. The spaced projections 62 can all have the same size and configuration and may be spaced an identical distance from one another along the gear 42. As shown, the spaced projections 62 are formed integrally with the gear 42 but can be a separate component that is attached thereon in other variations of the optical disk writer 10. The spaced projections 62 may extend around any portion of the perimeter of gear 42. In accordance with certain exemplary embodiments the spaced projections 62 can extend 90° to 120° about the perimeter of gear 42. The spaced projections 62 may extend the same angular distance as does the internal teeth 60 in certain exemplary embodiments. A sensor 64 is included in the optical disk writer 10 and remains stationary with respect to the gear 42. The sensor 64 can be mounted onto the track member 22 or other component of the optical disk writer 10 so that the sensor 64 does not rotate with the gear 42 but instead remains stationary as the gear 42 rotates. The sensor 64 is used in order to assist in determining the rotational position of the gear 42. The sensor 64 is capable of sensing the passage of the spaced projections 62 therethrough. In one embodiment, the sensor 64 may emit a small beam of light into a receiving portion. Movement of the spaced projections 62, as a result of rotation of gear 42, thus causes the light to be interrupted to the receiving portion of sensor 64. The sensor 64 can thus provide information to a microprocessor 66 that can be used to determine the amount of rotation of the gear 42 and also its current position. Knowledge of the movement and position of gear 42 can allow the microprocessor 66 to ascertain the movements and position of arm 20 due to the relationship between gear 42, sliding member 48 and arm 20. As such, the spaced projections 62 allow for the position and movements of arm 20 to be known by the microprocessor 66 when conducting an automated process of writing to optical disks 14.
As previously discussed the arm 20 picks up and moves the optical disk 14 and releases the optical disk 14 at certain portions in the automated process. One or more wires 72 can be run from the microprocessor 66 or electronics associated with the microprocessor 66 to cause the pick 32 of arm 20 to engage and hold and to disengage and release the optical disk 14. A pair of clips 74 and 76 are attached to the sliding member 48 and hold the wires 72 and allow for their movement during rotation of the gear 42 and sliding of the sliding member 48. The wires are run from the clips 74 and 76 into the arm 20 for actuating the pick 32. Although a pair of clips 74 and 76 are shown, it is to be realized that other arrangements are possible in which the clips 74 and 76 are not present.
The microprocessor 66 is configured to orchestrate the automated writing process of optical disk 14 by causing motor 56 to rotate gear 42 and thus position arm 20 along track 24, causing pick 32 to pick up and drop off optical disk 14, open and close the reclosable drawer 78 of the disk drive 12, and to initiate the writing of data to the optical disk 14. It is to be understood that other control type elements may be used to accomplish some or all of the automated process. For instance, the optical disk writer 10 can be in communication with a computer that includes software capable of instructing the optical disk writer 10 to carry out some or all of the aforementioned actions. As such, various means of controlling the automated process exist in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments.
FIG. 7 shows a front view of the optical disk writer 10 with the components positioned as previously shown in both FIGS. 1 and 4. A cover is removed from the optical disk writer 10 to allow certain elements associated with the gear 42 to be viewed. The bracket 46 and sliding member 48 are interlocked with one another so that they cannot be disengaged in the direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of sliding member 48. The bracket 46 and sliding member 48 are both made out of metal. A sliding contact component 54 that can be made out of a softer material can be located between the bracket 46 and sliding member 48 in order to ensure a better sliding engagement between these two components. The sliding contact component 54 can compensate for variations in the tolerance differences between the bracket 46 and sliding member 48 and can allow for a better sliding surface as it may be made out of plastic so that metal on metal contact is avoided. Although shown and described as incorporating a sliding contact component 54 it is to be understood that other exemplary embodiments of the optical disk writer 10 exist in which this component is not present.
Also shown in FIG. 7 are details of the arm 20. The arm 20 may include a rod 68 that extends generally in the horizontal direction. The rod 68 can be rigidly attached to the sliding member 48. Alternatively, rod 68 can be attached to the sliding member 48 so that these two components can pivot with respect to one another. The rod 68 is disposed completely through the track 24 so that the rod 68 is located on both sides of the track 24 or track member 22. A roller 70 surrounds the rod 68 and is located at a position on rod 68 so that it is also disposed through the track 24. The roller 70 rotates freely on the rod 68 and is made of a softer material than rod 68. For instance, the rod 68 can be made of a metal while the roller 70 is plastic. The roller 70 contacts the track member 22 as the arm 20 moves along track 24. Contact between the roller 70 and the track member 22 does not hinder movement of arm 20 as the roller 70 does not cause metal on metal contact to occur and can also rotate with respect to the rod 68 to further reduce frictional resistance through contact with the track member 22. Although shown as employing roller 70, it is to be understood that this component is not present in accordance with other exemplary embodiments.
Rod 68 extends into arm 20 and is internally mounted by way of bearing 88. Rod 68 may thus be cantilevered off of sliding member 48 and can completely support the rest of arm 20. Alternatively, rod 68 may be supported at other locations in accordance with other exemplary embodiments. Pivotal mounting of rod 68 by way of bearing 88 enables other portions of arm 20, notably that which includes pick 32, to be capable of pivoting with respect to cantilevered rod 68. The pick 32 can rotate freely about rod 68 or may be urged into a particular position through a spring or some other return mechanism. Pick 32 can thus pivot about a horizontal axis 86 of arm 20. The pick 32 and associated portions of arm 20 can rotate completely about axis 86 or may be limited to some degree of rotation thereto. For example, pick 32 may rotate up to 300° about horizontal axis 86. Rotation of pick 32 about the horizontal axis 86 may be desirable in allowing for variances in positioning between the optical disk 14, pick 32, reclosable drawer 78 and other components of the optical disk writer 10 during operation. Other embodiments are possible in which the arm 20 is stationary with respect to the horizontal axis 86 thus causing pick 32 to likewise be stationary with respect to the horizontal axis 86.
While the present invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the subject matter encompassed by way of the present invention is not to be limited to those specific embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended for the subject matter of the invention to include all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An optical disk writer, comprising:

a disk drive capable of receiving an optical disk;

a track member defining a track having a vertical portion, a horizontal portion and a curved portion intermediate said vertical portion and said horizontal portion; and

an arm configured to move the optical disk, wherein said arm is configured for movement along said vertical portion, said horizontal portion and said curved portion of said track.

2. The optical disk writer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said arm has a pick configured for holding the optical disk and for releasing the optical disk, and wherein the portion of said arm that includes said pick is configured to swivel with respect to said disk drive.

3. The optical disk writer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said track is a slot.

4. The optical disk writer as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a magazine configured for holding a plurality of optical disks prior to being written onto by said disk drive; and

a spindle configured for holding a plurality of optical disks after being written onto by said disk drive, wherein one of said magazine and said spindle is located proximate to an end of said vertical portion of said track and wherein the other one of said magazine and said spindle is located proximate to an end of said horizontal portion of said track.

5. The optical disk writer as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a gear configured for being rotated at least partially about an axis;

a bracket attached to said gear; and

a sliding member in sliding engagement with said bracket and attached to said arm, wherein rotation of said gear causes said arm to be moved along said track.

6. The optical disk writer as set forth in claim 5, further comprising:

a motor; and

a pinion driven by said motor;

wherein said gear has internal teeth that mesh with said pinion such that when said motor drives said pinion, said pinion drives said internal teeth to rotate said gear at least partially about said axis.

7. The optical disk writer as set forth in claim 5, wherein said gear has a plurality of spaced projections located along at least a portion of an outer perimeter of said gear, and further comprising a sensor for sensing movement of said spaced projections for use in determining the location of said arm along said track.

8. The optical disk writer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said arm has a rod and a roller disposed through said track, and wherein said roller surrounds at least a portion of said rod and is configured to rotate with respect to said rod.

9. The optical disk writer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said track member has a planar face through which said vertical portion, said horizontal portion and said curved portion are defined such that said vertical portion, said horizontal portion and said curved portion are oriented in the same plane.

10. The optical disk writer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said arm is stationary with respect to rotation about an axis oriented in the vertical direction.

11. An optical disk writer, comprising:

a disk drive capable of receiving an optical disk, wherein said disk drive has a reclosable drawer; and

an arm configured to retrieve the optical disk from a first storage area and to place the optical disk into said reclosable drawer of said disk drive, wherein said arm is configured to remove the optical disk from said reclosable drawer of said disk drive and place the optical disk at a second storage area, wherein said arm is stationary with respect to rotation about an axis oriented in the vertical direction.

12. The optical disk writer as set forth in claim 11, further comprising a track member defining a track in the shape of a slot having a vertical portion, a horizontal portion and a curved portion intermediate said vertical portion and said horizontal portion, wherein said arm is configured for movement along said vertical portion, said horizontal portion and said curved portion of said track.

13. The optical disk writer as set forth in claim 12, wherein said arm has a rod and a roller disposed through said track, and wherein said roller surrounds at least a portion of said rod and is configured to rotate with respect to said rod.

14. The optical disk writer as set forth in claim 12, wherein said track member has a planar face through which said vertical portion, said horizontal portion and said curved portion are defined such that said vertical portion, said horizontal portion and said curved portion are oriented in the same plane.

15. The optical disk writer as set forth in claim 11, wherein said arm has a pick configured for holding the optical disk and for releasing the optical disk, and wherein the portion of said arm that includes said pick is configured to rotate at least partially around an axis oriented in the horizontal direction.

16. The optical disk writer as set forth in claim 11, wherein said first storage area is a magazine configured for holding a plurality of optical disks prior to being placed into said reclosable drawer of said disk drive, and wherein said second storage area is a spindle configured for holding a plurality of optical disks after being removed from said reclosable drawer of said disk drive.

17. The optical disk writer as set forth in claim 11, further comprising:

a gear configured for being rotated at least partially about an axis;

a bracket attached to said gear; and

18. The optical disk writer as set forth in claim 17, further comprising:

a motor; and

a pinion driven by said motor;

wherein said gear has internal teeth that mesh with said pinion such that when said motor drives said pinion, said pinion drives said internal teeth to rotate said gear at least partially about said axis of said gear.

19. The optical disk writer as set forth in claim 17, wherein said gear has a plurality of spaced projections located along at least a portion of an outer perimeter of said gear, and further comprising a sensor for sensing movement of said spaced projections for use in determining the location of said arm.

20. An optical disk writer, comprising:

a motor;

a pinion driven by said motor;

a gear in communication with said pinion and configured for being at least partially rotated;

a sliding member carried by said gear and configured for moving linearly with respect to said gear;

an arm attached to said sliding member, wherein said arm is configured to move an optical disk, wherein said arm is stationary with respect to rotation about an axis oriented in the vertical direction, and wherein at least a portion of said arm is configured to rotate at least partially around an axis oriented in the horizontal direction; and

a track member defining a track that is a slot having a vertical portion, a horizontal portion and a curved portion intermediate said vertical portion and said horizontal portion, wherein said arm is disposed through said track and moves along said vertical portion, said horizontal portion and said curved portion of said track when moved by said sliding member.