METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY READING BOTH SIDES OF AN OPTICAL STORAGE DISK

摘要

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY READING BOTH SIDES OF AN OPTICAL STORAGE DISK An optical storage disk reading apparatus (10) allows the simultaneous reading of both sides of an optical storage disk (44). An upper base plate (12) and a lower base plate (14) pivot about hinges (22-28) through the action of lead screws (30-32). The lead screws (30-32) are turned by separate stepper motors (38-39) which drive follower nuts (34-36) therealong. The follower nuts (34-36) are interconnected to the baseplates (12-14) by yokes (40-42). As the lead screws (30-32) drive the follower nuts (34-36), the yokes (4042) pivotally move the base plates (12-14) about the hinges (22-28). A cartridge (46) containing the storage disk (44) is loaded into the apparatus (10) along receiving channels (48-50). The channels (48-50) hold the cartridge (46) from movement while the disk (44) is free to move therein with the lower base plate (14) through an interconnecting drive spindle (20). The disk (44) is thus positioned parallel to and a fixed distance from the lower base plate (14) equal to the focal distance of an optical reader (54) thereon. The upper base plate (12) is positioned parallel to the lower base plate (14) and a variable distance from the disk (44). An optical reader (52) on the upper base plate (12) provides data to the stepper motor (38) associated therewith to move the upper plate (12) to the proper focal distance from the optical reader (52). When the upper plate (12) moves, the lower plate (14) also moves to keep a parallel relationship therebetween.