Dynamic information storage or retrieval – Information location or remote operator actuated control – Selective addressing of storage medium
Patent
1989-01-06
1992-03-24
Levy, Stuart S.
Dynamic information storage or retrieval
Information location or remote operator actuated control
Selective addressing of storage medium
369 38, 360 92, G11B 1722, G11B 1726
Patent
active
050994654
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns a compact-disk changer as recited in the preamble to claim 1.
A compact-disk changer, which can play various compact disks as desired, preferably includes a playback section with a drive mechanism, a pick-up, and signal-processing circuits as well as a magazine that accommodates a number of stacked compact disks. Between the playback section and the magazine are means of removing one of disks from the magazine as needed and positioning it ready to play in the playback section. Selecting a particular disk demands a relative motion between the playback section and the magazine in order to position the playback section in relation to the magazine such that the desired disk can be removed from the magazine. It is accordingly necessary to detect and control the position of the playback section in relation to the magazine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide an especially simple method of positioning the playback section in relation to the magazine in a compact-disk changer of this type whereby the position can be detected essentially without physical contact.
The capacity to optically sense the disks inside the compartments of the magazine results in an especially simple and reliable system whereby the position of the playback section in relation to the magazine is detected essentially without physical contact and without massive moving parts. This feature is especially practical in a compact-disk changer for an automobile because the function of mechanically moved parts can be affected by the forces of acceleration that prevail in the vehicle. The invention advantageously exploits the reflective properties of a compact disk to detect the position of the playback section in relation to the magazine. No separate reflecting marks on the magazine are necessary. Another advantage is that, since a beam of light directed against a compartment that contains no disk is reflected only slightly or not at all, the playback section will not pause at that point to remove a disk from the magazine. When it is the sides of the disks that are sensed, it is also possible to insert compact disks of different diameters into the magazine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be specified with reference to the drawings, wherein
FIG. 1 illustrates the principle of optical scanning with a relative motion between the playback section and the magazine,
FIG. 2 the specific design of a source of light and a photoelectric element,
FIG. 3 a magazine in conjunction with two further developments of the invention,
FIG. 4 a magazine accommodating disks that are sensed at the side,
FIGS. 5, 1 and 6 show various embodiments of the light conductor in FIG. 4,
FIG. 7a is a perspective view and illustrates a further embodiment of a light conductor with a leg,
FIG. 7b is a schematic view of the light conductor of FIG. 7a and shows the light paths therethrough,
FIG. 8 curves relative to the sensing of large and small compact disks,
FIG. 9 a holder component for a disk compartment that is assembled into a magazine,
FIG. 10 a development of the magazine with an additional point of reflection for each compartment,
FIG. 11 a reflecting component,
FIG. 12 a magazine with sliding disk holders,
FIG. 13 the top of a magazine compartment with an inner holder, and
FIG. 14a is a schematic view of a recessed light conductor and reflector with only one receiver emitting a voltage and test results therefrom,
FIG. 14b is a schematic view and illustrates another stage of test results from FIG. 14a with a plate of long diameter,
FIG. 14c is a schematic view of another stage of test results from FIGS. 14a and 14b, with no disk present, and
FIG. 14d is a schematic view of a still further stage with test results from FIGS. 14a to FIG. 14c, in accordance with the present invention.
The playback section 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is positioned such that it can be displaced along with its turntable 2 in the directions indicated by arrow 3 relative to a stationary
REFERENCES:
patent: 4807208 (1989-02-01), Geiger
Geiger Erich
Mahr Peter
Deutsche Thomson-Brandt GmbH
Fogiel Max
Levy Stuart S.
Wells Kenneth B.
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