U.S. patent application number 09/299745 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-21 for disc cartridge.
Invention is credited to INOUE, ATSUSHI, NAGAI, KYUICHIRO, OKAMOTO, TOMOMI, ONO, HIROAKI.
Application Number | 20020034156 09/299745 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27295380 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020034156 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OKAMOTO, TOMOMI ; et
al. |
March 21, 2002 |
DISC CARTRIDGE
Abstract
In the case that the user takes out the disc and uses the disc
as a single unit, a history of taking out the disc is left in the
disc cartridge, and in a state that the user does not positively
perform a handling of the disc such as a movement of the disc
between the disc cartridges, a history of taking out the disc is
not left in the disc cartridge. A cartridge of the invention is
provided with locking means for locking an insertion and removal
port opening and closing member which opens and closes a disc
insertion and removal port, and locking cancellation preventing
means for preventing the locking means from canceling the
locking.
Inventors: |
OKAMOTO, TOMOMI;
(CHIGASAKI-SHI, JP) ; NAGAI, KYUICHIRO;
(FUJISAWA-SHI, JP) ; INOUE, ATSUSHI;
(CHIGASAKI-SHI, JP) ; ONO, HIROAKI; (FUJISAWA-SHI,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ANTONELLI TERRY STOUT AND KRAUS
SUITE 1800
1300 NORTH SEVENTEENTH STREET
ARLINGTON
VA
22209
|
Family ID: |
27295380 |
Appl. No.: |
09/299745 |
Filed: |
April 27, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
720/740 ;
G9B/23.04 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 23/0317
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
369/291 |
International
Class: |
G11B 023/03 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 28, 1998 |
JP |
10-118111 |
Mar 6, 1998 |
JP |
10-054701 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A disc cartridge for receiving a disc-like recording medium
therewithin, comprising: a disc insertion and removal port provided
in said disc cartridge and being capable of inserting and removing
said recording medium; an insertion and removal port opening and
closing member for closing said disc insertion and removal port
when said recording medium is within said disc cartridge, said disc
insertion and removal port being opened by moving said insertion
and removal port opening and closing member from said disc
insertion and removal port; locking means for locking said
insertion and removal port opening and closing member when said
insertion and removal port opening and closing member closes said
disc insertion and removal port; and locking cancellation
preventing means for preventing said locking means from canceling
the locking of said insertion and removal port opening and closing
member.
2. A disc cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking
cancellation preventing means is formed in a shape structured such
as to cover at least a part of a portion in which said locking
means is exposed to an outer portion of the disc cartridge.
3. A disc cartridge as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least a part
of said locking cancellation preventing means is irreversibly
displaced so as to expose at least a part of said locking means
which said locking cancellation preventing means covers to an outer
portion of said disc cartridge.
4. A disc cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a part
of said locking cancellation preventing means is arranged on a
moving path necessary for said locking means to cancel the
locking.
5. A disc cartridge as claimed in claim 4, wherein said locking
cancellation preventing means is irreversibly displaced out of the
moving path from the moving path of said locking means and said
locking means is made movable so as to cancel the locking.
6. A disc cartridge as claimed in claim 4, wherein said locking
cancellation preventing means is irreversibly displaced out of the
moving path from the moving path of said locking means and said
locking means is made movable in a state of displacing said locking
cancellation preventing means so as to cancel the locking.
7. A disc cartridge as claimed in claim 3 or 5, wherein the history
of the insertion and removal of said recording medium can be
recognized by detecting the state of said locking cancellation
preventing means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a disc cartridge which
receives a disc-like recording medium such as an optical disc, a
photomagnetic disc and the like therewithin.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Conventionally, the discs such as the optical disc and the
like are used for a disc-like recording medium. These discs are
frequently used in a state of being received within the disc
cartridge for the purpose of preventing a recording or reproducing
error due to an attachment of oils and fats on a recording surface
thereof.
[0005] In this case, the disc-like recording medium is structured
such that in the case that a recording density is fixed, a
recording capacity of course becomes greater as a diameter thereof
becomes greater. On the contrary, in the case of using the
disc-like recording medium mentioned above as a recording medium
for a portable recording and reproducing apparatus, for example, a
video camera and the like, a compact disc is excellent in
portability. Accordingly, there is a case that the disc used for a
portable apparatus has a different diameter from the disc used for
a stationary apparatus. At this time, a small-sized disc cartridge
is of course used for a disc cartridge used for the portable disc.
In the case that a recording method is the same and only a shape of
the disc is different, if it is possible to mount the disc to the
recording and reproducing apparatus, it is possible to record or
reproduce by means of recording and reproducing means provided in
the recording and reproducing apparatus. Therefore, it is possible
to record and reproduce the disc used for the portable apparatus in
the stationary recording and reproducing apparatus by taking out
only the disc from the compact disc cartridge and replacing in the
disc cartridge having the same outer shape as that of the disc
cartridge in the stationary apparatus.
[0006] Further, in an optical disc, a recording operation is
sensitive to a dirt and a reproducing operation is relatively
strong to a dirt, so that in the case of performing only a
reproducing operation without again performing a recording
operation in the once recorded disc, there exists a system in which
a disc is taken out from the disc cartridge and only the disc can
be treated.
[0007] Because of the reasons mentioned above, there is a
requirement of inserting and removing the disc with respect to the
disc cartridge. As a structure of taking out the disc from the disc
cartridge, for example, there is a method of arranging a disc
insertion and removal portion in a part of the disc cartridge as
shown in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 5-242626.
[0008] A description will be given of a structure for taking out
the disc from the disc cartridge in accordance with the
conventional art with reference to FIG. 9. A disc insertion and
removal port 12 is provided on a surface opposite to a surface on
which a shutter 3 is arranged, and a disc insertion and removal
port opening and closing member 10e is arranged there. Normally,
the disc insertion and removal port opening and closing member 10e
is structured such that a locking hook 6e is fitted to a locking
hole 7e arranged in the disc cartridge, and the disc insertion and
removal port 12 is closed. At a time of taking out a disc 4, the
locking hook 6e is removed from the locking hole 7e and the disc
insertion and removal port opening, closing member 10e is rotated
around a rotational support point 8e and the disc insertion and
removal port 12 is opened, so that the disc 4 is inserted and
removed.
[0009] Further, another conventional embodiment is shown in FIG.
10. In the conventional embodiment shown in FIG. 10, a disc
insertion and removal port opening and closing member 10f is
structured such as to be capable of being taken out from the disc
cartridge 1. Further, at a time of attaching the disc insertion and
removal port opening and closing member 10f, the disc insertion and
removal port opening and closing member 10f is locked by a fitness
between a locking hook 6f and a locking hole 7f, thereby preventing
an erroneous falling off.
[0010] Still further, the other conventional embodiment is shown in
FIG. 11. In the conventional embodiment shown in FIG. 11, in the
same manner as that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, a disc
insertion and removal opening and closing member 10g is structured
such as to be capable of being taken out from the disc cartridge 1.
Further, at a time of attaching the disc insertion and removal port
opening and closing member log, the disc insertion and removal port
opening and closing member 10g is locked by a fitness between a
locking hook 6g and a locking hole 7g, It is structured such that
the disc 4 can be taken out of the disc cartridge 1 by a disc
auxiliary member 2 arranged in the disc insertion and removal port
opening and closing member 10g at a time of taking out the disc
insertion and removal opening and closing member 10g.
[0011] Furthermore, the other conventional embodiment is shown in
FIG. 12. In the conventional embodiment shown in FIG. 12, in the
same manner as that of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a
disc insertion and removal opening and closing member 10h is
structured such as to be capable of being taken out from the disc
cartridge 1. Further, at a time of attaching the disc insertion and
removal port opening and closing member 10h, the disc insertion and
removal port opening and closing member 10h is locked by a fitness
between a locking hook 6h and a locking hole 7h. It is structured
such that the disc 4 can be taken out of the disc cartridge 1 in a
state of being held by a disc holding member 5 arranged in the disc
insertion and removal port opening and closing member 10h when
taking out the disc insertion and removal opening and closing
member 10h.
[0012] In the disc cartridge as mentioned above, in the case of
using the disc cartridge receiving disc once taken out therewithin
in the recording and/or reproducing apparatus corresponding to the
cartridge, it is necessary that the apparatus detects the fact of
being taken out. This is necessary for the purpose of inhibiting a
recording operation of the disc which has been taken out to an
outer portion or more frequently performing a recording check since
a recording operation is sensitive to a dirt in the optical disc as
mentioned above. A method of detecting a history of taking out the
disc will be described below with reference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13
shows a structure of opening and closing the disc insertion and
removal port 12 by a disc insertion and removal port opening and
closing member 10i in the same manner as that of the embodiment
shown in FIG. 9, thereby inserting and removing the disc. A locking
hook 6i and a locking hole 7i are fitted to each other and the
locking member 11 is fitted to the locking hole 9, whereby a
locking of the disc insertion and removal port opening and closing
member 10i is performed. When the locking hook 6i is removed from
the locking hole 7i, the locking hook 6i is elastically deformed in
an inner direction of the disc cartridge, so that a fitting can be
again performed even after once removed. On the contrary, when
removing the locking member 11 from the locking hole 9, the locking
member 11 is broken out from the disc insertion and removal port
opening and closing member 10i. When opening the disc insertion and
removal port opening and closing member 10i, it is necessary to
release these two kinds of locking means, however, when opening the
disc insertion and removal port opening and closing member 10i, the
locking member 11 becomes in a broken state, so that it is possible
to recognize a history of taking out the disc by detecting the
broken state.
[0013] As mentioned above, in the conventional art, when taking out
the disc from the disc cartridge, the disc takeout history is
definitely left in the disc cartridge. However, as a purpose of
taking out the disc, in addition to the case of using a simple disc
exclusively for reproducing the disc, there is a case of using the
disc with moving the disc between the disc cartridges. In this
case, since a user does not positively handle the disc, there is a
little possibility that a dirt is attached to the disc surface.
Further, it can be avoided to be directly in contact with the disc
by closely attaching the insertion and removal ports of the disc
cartridge to each other and moving the disc, so that a dirt is not
attached. Even in this case, when the disc take-out history is
left, an impossible recording treatment or an excessive recording
check is performed although no dirt is attached to the disc, so
that a usability of the disc is deteriorated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide a disc
cartridge structured such that a history of taking out a disc is
left in the disc cartridge in the case of taking out the disc for
the purpose of using the simple disc and is not left in the disc
cartridge in the case that a use does not positively handle the
disc such as a movement of the disc between the disc
cartridges.
[0015] In order to achieve the object, in accordance with the
present invention, there is provided a disc cartridge in which a
disc insertion and removal port can be opened and closed by an
insertion and removal port opening and closing member, and locking
means for locking the insertion and removal port opening and
closing member when the insertion and removal port opening and
closing member is closed and locking cancellation preventing means
for preventing the locking means from canceling the locking of the
insertion and removal port opening and closing member are arranged
in the disc cartridge.
[0016] Further, the locking cancellation preventing means is formed
in a shape structured such as to cover at least a part of a portion
in which the locking means is exposed to an outer portion of the
disc cartridge.
[0017] Still further, at least a part of the locking cancellation
preventing means is irreversibly displaced so as to expose at least
a part of the locking means which the locking cancellation
preventing means covers to an outer portion of the disc
cartridge.
[0018] Furthermore, at least a part of the locking cancellation
preventing means is arranged on a moving path necessary for the
locking means to cancel the locking.
[0019] Moreover, the locking cancellation preventing means is
irreversibly displaced out of the moving path from the moving path
of the locking means and the locking means is made movable so as to
cancel the locking.
[0020] Further, the locking cancellation preventing means is
irreversibly displaced out of the moving path from the moving path
of the locking means and the locking means is moved in a state of
displacing the locking cancellation preventing means so as to
cancel the locking.
[0021] Still further, the history of the insertion and removal of
the disc can be recognized by detecting the state of the locking
cancellation preventing means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment in
accordance with the present invention, which shows a structure of a
disc cartridge;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the first embodiment in
accordance with the present invention, which shows a structure of
locking means and locking cancellation preventing means of disc
insertion and removal port opening and closing means;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the first embodiment in
accordance with the present invention, which explains a method of
locking and removing the locking means of the disc insertion and
removal port opening and closing means without breaking the locking
cancellation preventing means;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a second embodiment in
accordance with the present invention, which shows a structure of a
disc cartridge;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the second embodiment in
accordance with the present invention, which shows a structure of
locking means and locking cancellation preventing means of disc
insertion and removal port opening and closing means;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the second embodiment in
accordance with the present invention, which explains a method of
locking and removing the locking means of the disc insertion and
removal port opening and closing means without breaking the locking
cancellation preventing means;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a third embodiment in
accordance with the present invention, which shows a structure of
locking means and locking cancellation preventing means of disc
insertion and removal port opening and closing means;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the third embodiment in
accordance with the present invention, which explains a method of
locking and removing the locking means of the disc insertion and
removal port opening and closing means without breaking the locking
cancellation preventing means;
[0030] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a conventional art, which
shows a structure of inserting and removing a disc in a disc
cartridge;
[0031] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a conventional art, which
shows a structure of inserting and removing a disc in a disc
cartridge;
[0032] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a conventional art, which
shows a structure of inserting and removing a disc in a disc
cartridge;
[0033] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a conventional art, which
shows a structure of inserting and removing a disc in a disc
cartridge; and
[0034] FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a conventional art, which
shows a structure of a history of taking out a disc in a disc
cartridge.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0035] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention will be
described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.
[0036] A first embodiment in accordance with the present invention
will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a
schematic view which shows an internal structure of a disc
cartridge in accordance with the first embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a disc cartridge 1 is provided with
a disc insertion and removal port through which a disc 4 passes
when inserting and removing the disc 4. When the disc cartridge 1
receives the disc 4 therewithin, a disc insertion and removal port
opening and closing member 10a is locked to the disc insertion and
removal port 12 by locking means. The locking means in accordance
with the present embodiment is constituted by a locking hook 6a and
a locking hole 7a and is structured such that the locking hook 6a
is fitted to the locking hole 7a, thereby being locked. In this
case, the locking hole 7a is structured such as not to pass
through, and such that it is impossible to cancel the locking from
an outer portion of the disc cartridge 1 through the locking hole
7a.
[0037] In FIG. 2, a locking state of the locking means and a method
of canceling the locking will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic
view which shows details of a locking cancellation preventing
member 16a corresponding to the locking means and the locking
cancellation preventing means. When the disc insertion and removal
port opening and closing member 10 is attached to the disc
cartridge 1, the locking hook 6a is fitted and locked to the
locking hole 7a as shown in FIG. 2A. Further, since the locking
cancellation preventing member 16a is arranged in a lower portion
of the locking hook 6a, the locking hook 6a is hardly exposed to an
outer portion, so that it is hard for a user of the disc cartridge
to take out the locking hook 6a from the locking hole 7a in this
state. When the user takes out the disc from the disc cartridge 1
for the purpose of using the disc as a single one, the locking
cancellation preventing member 16a is broken as shown in FIG. 2B.
The locking hook 6a is exposed to an outer portion by breaking the
locking cancellation preventing member 16a so as to take out, so
that it is possible to remove the locking hook 6a. In this case,
the take-out history is recognized by detecting the breakage of the
locking cancellation preventing member 16a. Further, in the case
that it is not desired to mark the disc take-out history such as a
movement of the disc between the disc cartridges, the disc is taken
out by removing the locking hook 6a without breaking the locking
cancellation preventing member 16a as shown in FIG. 2C.
[0038] A description will be given of a method of removing the
locking hook 6a without breaking the locking cancellation
preventing member 16a with reference to FIG. 3. An opening portion
19a which is small enough that the user can not operate the locking
hook 6a by a finger is provided between the locking cancellation
preventing member 16a and the disc cartridge 1. The locking hook 6a
is moved by inserting the locking cancellation member 18a from the
opening portion 19a, as shown in FIG. 3B, thereby being removed
from the locking hole 7a. A locking cancellation member 18a is, for
example, provided near the disc insertion and removal portion of
the disc cartridge in a destination for the disc, so that a
cancellation of the locking and a moving operation of the disc can
be both performed by pressing the disc cartridge 1 in accordance
with the present invention.
[0039] Next, a second embodiment in accordance with the present
invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view which shows a structure of a disc
cartridge in accordance with the second embodiment of the present
invention. The present embodiment has the disc insertion and
removal port 12 in the same manner as that of the first embodiment,
and when the disc cartridge 1 receives the disc 4 therewithin, a
disc insertion and removal port opening and closing member 10j is
locked to the disc insertion and removal port 12 by locking means.
The locking means in accordance with the present embodiment is also
constituted by a locking hook 6j and a locking hole 7j, and the
locking hook 6j is fitted to the locking hole 7j so as to be
locked. Further, in the case of the disc cartridge which has not
taken out the disc, the structure is made such that the disc
cartridge 1 and the locking cancellation preventing member 16j
cover almost all of the member having the locking hook 6j. In this
case, the locking hole 7j is not penetrated, so that it is
structured such that it is impossible to cancel the locking by
inserting into the locking hole 7j from the outer portion of the
disc cartridge 1.
[0040] A description will be given of a locking state of the
locking means and a method of canceling the locking with reference
to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a schematic view which shows a detail of the
locking cancellation preventing member 16j corresponding to the
locking means and the locking cancellation preventing means. Left
views in FIGS. 5A to 5C are outside drawings near a portion in
which the locking cancellation preventing member 16j is arranged,
and right views show an inner structure thereof. When the disc
insertion and removal port opening and closing member 10j is
attached to the disc cartridge 1, the locking hook 6j is fitted and
locked to the locking hole 7j as shown in FIG. 5A. Further, since
the disc cartridge 1 and the locking cancellation preventing member
16j cover almost all of the surface in the member having the
locking hook 6j, it is hard for the user of the disc cartridge to
remove the locking hook 6j from the locking hole 7j. In order that
the user uses the disc as a single unit, it is necessary to break
the locking cancellation preventing member 16j, expose a lower
portion of the member having the locking hook 6j to an outer
portion and displace the portion in a direction of an arrow so as
to take out the locking hook 6j, as shown in FIG. 5B. In this case,
the disc apparatus recognizes the disc take-out history of the disc
cartridge 1 by detecting the breakage of the locking cancellation
preventing member 16j. Further, in the case that it is not desired
to mark the disc take-out history such as a movement of the disc
between the disc cartridges, the disc is taken out by removing the
locking hook 6j without breaking the locking cancellation
preventing member 16j as shown in FIG. 5C.
[0041] Next, a description will be given of a method of removing
the locking hook 6j without breaking the locking cancellation
preventing member 16j with reference to FIG. 6. An opening portion
19j which is small enough that the user can not operate the locking
hook 6j by a finger is provided between the locking cancellation
preventing member 16j and the disc cartridge 1. The locking hook 6j
is moved by inserting the locking cancellation member 18j from the
opening portion 19a, as shown in FIG. 6B, thereby being removed
from the locking hole 7j. A locking cancellation member 18j is, for
example, provided within the disc cartridge in a destination for
the disc, so that the disc is moved by moving the locking
cancellation preventing member 18j and canceling the locking after
pressing the disc cartridge 1 in accordance with the present
invention. Further, in the case of the present embodiment, as is
different from the first embodiment, the locking cancellation
preventing member 16j is exposed to a front surface of the disc
cartridge or a back surface thereof. Accordingly, it is possible to
detect the take-out history from the surface of the disc cartridge
1 or the back surface thereof, so that it is possible to increase a
freedom in designing an arrangement of a sensor in the side of the
disc apparatus.
[0042] Next, a third embodiment in accordance with the present
invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.
FIG. 7 is a schematic view which shows a locking state of locking
means and a method of canceling the locking in accordance with the
third embodiment of the present invention. The locking hook 6b is
fitted to the locking hole 7b so as to perform the locking in the
same manner as that of the first embodiment. Further, in order to
take out the locking hook 6b from the locking hole 7b, it is
necessary to move in an inner direction of the disc cartridge 1,
however, a locking cancellation preventing member 16b is arranged
on the moving path. In this state, the locking hook 6b is
interfered with the locking cancellation preventing member 16b and
can not be moved, so that the locking can not be cancelled. When
taking out the disc from the disc cartridge 1 in order that the
user uses the disc as a single unit, the locking cancellation
preventing member 16b is broken as shown in FIG. 7B. the locking
hook 6b can be moved by breaking the locking cancellation
preventing member 16b so as to take out, so that it is possible to
take out the locking hook 6b. In this case, the disc apparatus
recognizes the disc take-out history by detecting the breakage of
the locking cancellation preventing member 16b. Further, in the
case that it is not desired to mark the disc take-out history such
as a movement of the disc between the disc cartridges, the locking
cancellation is performed by elastically deforming the locking
cancellation preventing member 16b and moving the locking hook 6b
in this state, as shown in FIG. 7C.
[0043] A description will be given of a method of taking out the
locking hook 6b while deforming the locking cancellation preventing
member 16b with reference to FIG. 8. It is necessary that a
deformation of the locking cancellation preventing member 16b and a
movement of the locking hook 6b are performed substantially at the
same time. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 8A, by pressing a locking
cancellation member 18b having a fork-like front end portion to the
locking hook 6b and the locking cancellation preventing member 16b,
it is possible to move the locking hook 6b while deforming the
locking cancellation preventing member 16b as shown in FIG. 8B so
as to be taken out from the locking hole 7b. The locking
cancellation member 18b is, for example, provided near a disc
insertion and removal port of the disc cartridge in a destination
for the disc, and a cancellation of the locking and a moving
operation of the disc can be both performed by pressing the disc
cartridge 1 in accordance with the present invention.
[0044] As mentioned above, the present invention can provide the
disc cartridge structured such that a history of taking out the
disc is left in the disc cartridge in the case that the user takes
out the disc and uses the disc as a single unit, and a history of
taking out the disc is not left in the disc cartridge in a state
that the user does not positively perform a handling of the disc
such as a movement of the disc between the disc cartridges.
[0045] In accordance with the structure mentioned above, in the
case that the user takes out the disc and uses the disc as a single
unit, a history of taking out the disc is left in the disc
cartridge, and in a state that the user does not positively perform
a handling of the disc such as a movement of the disc between the
disc cartridges, a history of taking out the disc is not left in
the disc cartridge.
* * * * *