US5299184A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Information processing apparatus with held distance control on track edge detection
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1992-05-14
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Granted: 1994-03-29
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Expires: 2012-05-14
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed an information recording/ reproducing apparatus utilizing a probe electrode and a recording medium, based on the principle of scanning tunnel microscope. When a track groove on the recording medium is detected, the distance control between the probe electrode and the recording medium is suspended. Consequently, the tip of the probe electrode does not enter the track groove, and is prevented from collision with the recording medium. The scanning speed of the probe electrode can, therefore, be increased without the danger of such collision.
Inventors
- 👤 Akihiko Yamano
- 👤 Katsunori Hatanaka
- 👤 Kunihiro Sakai
- 👤 Takahiro Oguchi
- 👤 Shunichi Shido
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:38
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B9/00; G11B9/12; G11B9/14; G11B9/1418; G11B9/1427; G11B9/1436; G11B9/1445; B; B82; B82Y; B82Y10/00; G01; G01Q; G01Q80/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S977/00; Y10S977/84; Y10S977/849; Y10S977/85; Y10S977/851; Y10S977/86; Y10S977/861; Y10S977/88; Y10S977/881; Y10S977/902; Y10S977/932; Y10S977/943; Y10S977/947
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
An information recording/reproducing apparatus for effecting at least one recording and reproduction of information with a probe on a recording medium provided with plural parallel tracks used as reference comprising: a probe electrode; means for applying a voltage between said probe electrode and said recording medium; means for detecting a current flowing to said probe electrode upon said voltage application; means for controlling a distance between said probe electrode and said recording medium such that the current value detected becomes constant: means for moving said probe electrode in a direction crossing said tracks for access to a desired track; means for detecting an edge portion of each of said tracks from a change in the detected current; and means for holding the distance control provided by said distance controlling means when said edge portion is detected.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
An information recording/reproducing apparatus for effecting at least one recording and reproduction of information with a probe on a recording medium provided with plural parallel tracks used as reference comprising: a probe electrode; means for applying a voltage between said probe electrode and said recording medium; means for detecting a current flowing to said probe electrode upon said voltage application; means for controlling a distance between said probe electrode and said recording medium such that the current value detected becomes constant: means for moving said probe electrode in a direction crossing said tracks for access to a desired track; means for detecting an edge portion of each of said tracks from a change in the detected current; and means for holding the distance control provided by said distance controlling means when said edge portion is detected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said holding by said holding means is adapted to fix the probe electrode at a distance from the recording medium, further apparatus than a distance between said probe electrode and said recording medium upon the edge portion detection by said edge detection means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
127 words
An information recording/reproducing method of effecting at least one of recording and reproduction of information with a probe electrode on a recording medium provided with plural tracks used as reference, said method comprising the steps of: applying a voltage between said probe electrode and said recording medium; detecting a current flowing to said probe electrode upon said voltage application; controlling a distance between said probe electrode and said recording medium such that the current value detected becomes constant; moving said probe electrode in a direction crossing said tracks for access to a desired track; detecting an edge portion of each of said tracks from a change in the detected current; and holding the distance control made in said distance control step when said edge portion is detected.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
127 words
An information recording/reproducing method of effecting at least one of recording and reproduction of information with a probe electrode on a recording medium provided with plural tracks used as reference, said method comprising the steps of: applying a voltage between said probe electrode and said recording medium; detecting a current flowing to said probe electrode upon said voltage application; controlling a distance between said probe electrode and said recording medium such that the current value detected becomes constant; moving said probe electrode in a direction crossing said tracks for access to a desired track; detecting an edge portion of each of said tracks from a change in the detected current; and holding the distance control made in said distance control step when said edge portion is detected.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-03-28 | 1997-09-27 | 1998-03-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-03-28 | 2001-09-27 | 2002-03-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-03-28 | 2005-09-27 | 2006-03-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |