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US4023033A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Optical focussing device

Assignee: COBE ASDT Inc A CORP OF CO
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Filing: 1976-09-29
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Granted: 1977-05-10
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Expires: 1996-09-29
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Abstract

Abstract A device for focussing a read-out light beam on a moving data carrier. It comprises an objective lens which causes said read-out beam to converge on the data carrier; a cylindrical lens arranged in the path of a light beam reflected by the data carrier; and photo-electric means for detecting the reflected beam and arranged in such a fashion that the light spot obtained there, normally substantially circular in shape, is distorted by elongation if focussing of the read-out beam on the data carrier is incorrect.

Inventors

  • 👤 Claude Bricot
  • 👤 Jean Claude Lehureau

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 18:31
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/08; G11B7/09; G11B7/0908; G11B7/0909

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 148 words
A device for focussing a read-out light beam onto the reflective surface of a moving data carrier, said device comprising an objective lens which causes the read-out beam to converge upon said reflective surface, optical guidance means for guiding, towards an observation plane, a reflected beam consisting of at least one fraction of said read-out beam reflected by said reflective surface; optical means arranged in the path of one of said beams for introducing astigmatism on the optical axis of said objective lens; said reflective surface and said observation plane being located respectively in first and second imaging planes; said beams respectively projecting first and second light spots in said first and second imaging planes; photodetector means being positioned in said observation plane for detecting the shape of the second of said light spots; said photodetector means producing a control signal, controlling the focussing of said read-out beam.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 148 words
A device for focussing a read-out light beam onto the reflective surface of a moving data carrier, said device comprising an objective lens which causes the read-out beam to converge upon said reflective surface, optical guidance means for guiding, towards an observation plane, a reflected beam consisting of at least one fraction of said read-out beam reflected by said reflective surface; optical means arranged in the path of one of said beams for introducing astigmatism on the optical axis of said objective lens; said reflective surface and said observation plane being located respectively in first and second imaging planes; said beams respectively projecting first and second light spots in said first and second imaging planes; photodetector means being positioned in said observation plane for detecting the shape of the second of said light spots; said photodetector means producing a control signal, controlling the focussing of said read-out beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 19 words
A focussing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical means are constituted by a convergent cylindrical lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 17 words
A focussing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical guidance means comprises beam splitter means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 32 words
A focussing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said optical means is arranged in the path of said reflected beam; said optical means lying outside the axis of said read-out beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 32 words
A focussing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said optical means are arranged in the path of said read-out beam, said optical means lying outside the axis of said reflected beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 89 words
A focussing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said photodetector means comprise four adjacent photoelectric cells and electrical means for processing the electrical signals furnished by said cells, said cells being arranged in said observation plane on either side of two crossed lines of separation; the bissectrices of said lines of separation being substantially parallel to the axes of distortion by extension of said light spot under the effect of a focussing error; said electrical means furnishing a value of said control signal depending upon said focussing error.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 27 words
A focussing device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for applying to said objective lens a translatory motion, under the control of said control signal.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3520625A Cited
US3482102A Cited
US3719421A Cited
US3739247A Cited
US3844658A Cited
US3876841A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1980-05-09 1980-11-08 1981-05-10 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1984-05-09 1984-11-08 1985-05-10 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1988-05-09 1988-11-08 1989-05-10 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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