US5412641A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Information recording/reproducing apparatus for recording/reproducing information with probes
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1993-05-03
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Granted: 1995-05-02
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Expires: 2013-05-03
Abstract
Abstract An information recording and/or reproducing apparatus performs at least one of record and reproduction of information on an information record medium with a plurality of probes. The apparatus includes a support plate supporting the plurality of probes and segmented into a plurality of blocks, and a driving mechanism for driving the plurality of blocks independently of one another. Another apparatus may include an information record medium segmented into a plurality of blocks, a support plate supporting a plurality of probes, and a driving mechanism for driving the plurality of blocks independently of one another.
Inventors
- 👤 Katsuhiko Shinjo
- 👤 Toshihiko Miyazaki
- 👤 Ryo Kuroda
- 👤 Keisuke Yamamoto
- 👤 Toshimitsu Kawase
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; G11B9/1454; G11B9/1463; G11B9/1472; G01; G01Q; G01Q70/00; G01Q70/06; G01Q80/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S977/00; Y10S977/84; Y10S977/849; Y10S977/86; Y10S977/874
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
An information recording and/or reproducing apparatus which performs at least one of recording and reproduction of information on an information record medium with a plurality of probes, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of blocks each of which supports a plurality of probes; a support plate supporting said plurality of blocks; and driving means for driving said plurality of blocks independently of one another.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
An information recording and/or reproducing apparatus which performs at least one of recording and reproduction of information on an information record medium with a plurality of probes, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of blocks each of which supports a plurality of probes; a support plate supporting said plurality of blocks; and driving means for driving said plurality of blocks independently of one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
An information recording and/or reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of blocks supports a same number of probes as another block.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An information recording and/or reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of probes is supported by a cantilever in each of the blocks.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An information recording and/or reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising voltage applying means for applying a voltage between the plurality of probes and the record medium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
An information recording and/or reproducing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least one of recording and reproduction of information is carried out using a tunnel current generated between the plurality of probes and the record medium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
An information recording and/or reproducing apparatus which performs at least one of recording and reproduction of information on an information record medium with a plurality of probes, said apparatus comprising: an information record medium segmented into a plurality of blocks; a support plate supporting the plurality of probes; and driving means for driving said plurality of blocks independently of one another.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
An information recording and/or reproducing apparatus which performs at least one of recording and reproduction of information on an information record medium with a plurality of probes, said apparatus comprising: an information record medium segmented into a plurality of blocks; a support plate supporting the plurality of probes; and driving means for driving said plurality of blocks independently of one another.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
96 words
An information recording and/or reproducing apparatus which performs at least one of recording and reproduction of information on an information record medium with a plurality of probes, said apparatus comprising: an information record medium segmented into a plurality of blocks; a plurality of blocks each of which supports a plurality of probes; a support plate supporting said plurality of blocks; first driving means for driving the plurality of blocks of the information record medium independently of one another; and second driving means for driving the plurality of blocks of said support plate independently of one another.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
96 words
An information recording and/or reproducing apparatus which performs at least one of recording and reproduction of information on an information record medium with a plurality of probes, said apparatus comprising: an information record medium segmented into a plurality of blocks; a plurality of blocks each of which supports a plurality of probes; a support plate supporting said plurality of blocks; first driving means for driving the plurality of blocks of the information record medium independently of one another; and second driving means for driving the plurality of blocks of said support plate independently of one another.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-05-01 | 1998-10-31 | 1999-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-05-01 | 2002-10-31 | 2003-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-05-01 | 2006-10-31 | 2007-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |