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US3946166A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Tracking arrangement

Assignee: Zenith Electronics LLC
•
Filing: 1974-04-01
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Granted: 1976-03-23
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Expires: 1994-04-01
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Abstract

Abstract Correction is provided for errors in radial tracking and timing in a video disc playback system of the optical type. A large ring magnet, and a smaller ring magnet carrying a mirror on one face, are coaxially aligned with the smaller magnet supported on a universal pivot and held against its support by a magnetic field. Two pairs of electromagnets, responsive to error or correction signals, cause controlled tilting of the smaller magnet about two orthogonally related axes to maintain tracking registration of a reading beam with a video disc.

Inventors

  • 👤 Karl H. Wossidlo

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 22:30
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/18; G02B7/182; G02B7/1821; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/08; G11B7/081; G11B7/09; G11B7/0925; G11B7/0929

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 237 words
In an optical image-reproducing system in which program information stored in a generally circular track is derived by reading the track with a beam of optical energy and in which a pair of tracking correction signals is developed related to the radial tracking and timing relationships, respectively, of said beam relative to said track, an improved tracking arrangement which comprises: a first ring-shaped, axially poled magnet; a second axially-poled magnet having a pivot bearing associated therewith and poled in the same direction as said first magnet; support means comprising a pivot support pin mating with said pivot bearing for pivotally positioning said second magnet coaxially with and in such proximity to said first magnet as to magnetically captivate said bearing against said support pin while permitting tilting displacement of said second magnet with respect to two orthogonally related axes; a mirror disposed in the path of said beam and mechanically coupled to said second magnet for concurrrent displacement therewith; and a pair of electromagnetic means individually positioned along an assigned one of said axes in close proximity to said second magnet and individually responsive to an assigned one of said correction signals to develop a magnetic field, having a magnitude and direction determined by the amplitude and polarity of the applied signal, for reacting with the field of said second magnet to effect controlled displacement of said mirror with respect to the associated one of said axes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 237 words
In an optical image-reproducing system in which program information stored in a generally circular track is derived by reading the track with a beam of optical energy and in which a pair of tracking correction signals is developed related to the radial tracking and timing relationships, respectively, of said beam relative to said track, an improved tracking arrangement which comprises: a first ring-shaped, axially poled magnet; a second axially-poled magnet having a pivot bearing associated therewith and poled in the same direction as said first magnet; support means comprising a pivot support pin mating with said pivot bearing for pivotally positioning said second magnet coaxially with and in such proximity to said first magnet as to magnetically captivate said bearing against said support pin while permitting tilting displacement of said second magnet with respect to two orthogonally related axes; a mirror disposed in the path of said beam and mechanically coupled to said second magnet for concurrrent displacement therewith; and a pair of electromagnetic means individually positioned along an assigned one of said axes in close proximity to said second magnet and individually responsive to an assigned one of said correction signals to develop a magnetic field, having a magnitude and direction determined by the amplitude and polarity of the applied signal, for reacting with the field of said second magnet to effect controlled displacement of said mirror with respect to the associated one of said axes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 17 words
A tracking arrangement in accordance with claim 1 in which said second magnet is also ring shaped.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 21 words
A tracking arrangement in accordance with claim 2 in which the axial separation of said first and second magnets is adjustable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 37 words
A tracking arrangement in accordance with claim 3 which said support means positions said second magnet in a region of the magnetic field of said first magnet which affords to said second magnet a positive tilting stiffness.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2364908A Cited
US3011124A Cited
US3071036A Cited
US3381086A Cited
US3470320A Cited
US3449587A Cited
US3544221A Cited
US3530258A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1979-03-23 1979-09-22 1980-03-23 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1983-03-23 1983-09-22 1984-03-23 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1987-03-23 1987-09-22 1988-03-23 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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