Disc recording and/or playback apparatus with automatic changer

Claim 2

A disc recording/playback apparatus with an automatic changer, comprising a storage unit for storing a plurality of discs each at a disc storage position in said storage unit, each of said discs having first and second sides containing information, disc recording/playback means, and a disc withdraw/feed mechanism for selecting a disc from said storage unit and feeding a disc to said storage unit or said recording/playback means, said disc withdraw/feed mechanism having a base movable along a first direction parallel to a direction in which the discs are arrayed in said storage unit, base driving means for driving said base along said first direction, disc retrieving/rotating means mounted on said base for movement along a second direction substantially normal to said first direction for retrieving and holding a selected disc and rotatable about 180° between first and second positions for rotating said selected disc to feed said selected disc to said disc recording/playback means for accessing said first side or said second side of said selected disc, respectively, and position detecting means for detecting that said base has been moved to a position where the selected disc can be retrieved by said disc retrieving/rotating means, said position detecting means comprising a positioning indicia group having positioning indicia arranged along said first direction in which said base is movable and aligned respectively with said disc storage positions in said storage unit, an absolute address code group disposed parallel to said positioning indicia group and including a plurality of address code patterns respectively indicating addresses of said positioning indicia, reading means mounted for movement with said base for reading said absolute address code group, and first and second detection means, said reading means and said first detection means detecting said absolute address code group and said positioning indicia group, respectively, when said disc retrieving/rotating means is in said first position, and said reading means and said second detection means detecting said absolute address code group and said positioning indicia group, respectively, when said disc retrieving/rotating means is in said second position for maintaining said disc retrieving/rotating means in said first and second positions thereof in proper alignment with each of said disc storage positions when said base is moved to each of said disc storage positions for retrieving or replacing a disc and with said disc recording/playback means when said base is moved to said disc recording/playback means.

Claim 3

A disc recording/playback apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said absolute address code group comprises optical patterns, said reading means comprising photocouplers.

Claim 4

A disc recording/playback apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said absolute address code group comprises slits.

Claim 5

A disc recording/playback apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said positioning indicia comprise a pair of marks, and wherein each of said first and second detection means comprises a pair of photocouplers disposed in corresponding relation to said marks, respectively.

Claim 6

A disc recording/playback apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said marks are made of a plurality of slits.

Claim 7

A disc recording/playback apparatus according to claim 1, in which the positions of said first and second detection means are adjustable with respect to said base.

Claim 8

A disc recording/playback apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said positioning indicia comprise a pair of marks, and said first and second detection means comprising photocouplers disposed in corresponding relation to said marks, respectively.

Claim 9

A disc recording/playback apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said positioning indicia comprise a pair of marks, and said first and second detection means comprising photocouplers disposed in corresponding relation to said marks, respectively.

Claim 10

The disc recording/playback apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising a bracket connected to and movable with said base, and having first and second support structures extending perpendicular therefrom, said first support structure supporting said reading means and said first detection means, said second support structure supporting said second detection means, and said first and second support structures being parallel to each other.

Claim 11

The disc recording/playback apparatus of claim 9, wherein said first and second support structures are adjustably attached to said bracket.

Claim 12

The disc recording/playback apparatus of claim 10, and further comprising first and second sets of screws for adjusting the positions of said first and second support structure on said bracket in said first direction in which said base is movable.

Claim 13

A disc recording/playback apparatus with an automatic changer comprising: a storage unit for storing a plurality of discs each at a disc storage position in said storage unit, each of said discs having first and second sides containing information; disc recording/playback means; and a disc withdraw/feed mechanism for selecting a disc from said storage unit and feeding a disc to said storage unit or said disc recording/playback means, said disc withdraw/feed mechanism comprising: a base movable along a first direction parallel to a direction in which the discs are arrayed in said storage unit; base driving means for driving said base along said first direction; disc retrieving/rotating means mounted on said base for movement along a second direction substantially normal to said first direction for retrieving and holding a selected disc and rotatable about 180° between first and second positions for rotating said selected disc to feed said selected disc to said disc recording/playback means for accessing said first side or said second side of said selected disc, respectively; position detecting means for detecting that said base has been moved to a position where the selected disc can be retrieved by said disc retrieving/rotating means, said position detecting means including a positioning indicia group having positioning indicia arranged along said first direction in which said base is movable and aligned respectively with said disc storage positions in said storage unit, an absolute address code group disposed parallel to said positioning indicia group and including a plurality of address code patterns respectively indicating addresses of said positioning indicia; reading means mounted for movement with said base for reading said absolute address code group; and first and second detection means; said reading means and said first detection means detecting said absolute address code group and said positioning indicia group, respectively, when said disc retrieving/rotating means is in said first position, and said reading means and said second detection means detecting said absolute address code group and said positioning indicia group, respectively, when said disc retrieving/rotating means is in said second position for maintaining said disc retrieving/rotating means in said first and second positions thereof in proper alignment with each of said disc storage positions when said base is moved to each of said disc storage positions for retrieving or replacing a disc, and in proper alignment with said disc recording/playback means when said base is moved to said disc recording/playback means.

Claim 14

A disc recording/playback apparatus with an automatic changer comprising: a storage unit for storing a plurality of discs each at a disc storage position in said storage unit, each of said discs having first and second sides containing information; disc recording/playback means; and a disc withdraw/feed mechanism for selecting a disc from said storage unit and feeding a disc to said storage unit or said disc recording/playback means, said disc withdraw/feed mechanism comprising: a base movable along a first direction parallel to a direction in which the discs are arrayed in said storage unit; base driving means for driving said base along said first direction; disc retrieving/rotating means mounted on said base for movement along a second direction substantially normal to said first direction for retrieving and holding a selected disc and rotatable about 180° between first and second positions for rotating said selected disc to feed said selected disc to said disc recording/playback means for accessing said first side or said second side of said selected disc, respectively; position detecting means for detecting that said base has been moved to a position where the selected disc can be retrieved by said disc retrieving/rotating means, said position detecting means including a positioning indicia group having positioning indicia arranged along said first direction in which said base is movable and aligned respectively with said disc storage positions in said storage unit, an absolute address code group disposed parallel to said positioning indicia group and including a plurality of address code patterns respectively indicating addresses of said positioning indicia; reading means mounted for movement with said base for reading said absolute address code group; and first and second detection means; said reading means and said first detection means detecting said absolute address code group and said positioning indicia group, respectively, when said disc retrieving/rotating means is in said first position, and said reading means and said second detection means detecting said absolute address code group and said positioning indicia group, respectively, when said disc retrieving/rotating means is in said second position for maintaining said disc retrieving/rotating means in said first and second positions thereof in proper alignment with each of said disc storage positions when said base is moved to each of said disc storage positions for retrieving or replacing a disc, and in proper alignment with said disc recording/playback means when said base is moved to said disc recording/playback means.