US6061324A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for recording/reproducing optical information recording medium, optical pickup apparatus, objective lens and design method of objective lens
Assignee: Konica Minolta Inc
•
Filing: 1997-10-17
•
Granted: 2000-05-09
•
Expires: 2017-10-17
Abstract
Abstract An optical pickup apparatus includes a light source for emitting a light flux; and a converging optical system having a first, second, and third divided surface, which are divided in the order named from the vicinity of an optical axis of the converging optical system, for converging the light flux emitted from the light source, wherein a beam spot passing through the first and third divided surfaces is formed onto a first optical information recording medium having a transparent substrate whose thickness is t1, and a beam spot passing through the first and second surfaces is formed onto a second optical information recording medium having a transparent substrate whose thickness is t2 that is more than t1. The optical pickup apparatus further includes an image sensor for receiving a light flux reflected from the first and/or second optical information recording medium.
Inventors
- 👤 Norikazu Arai
- 👤 Hiroyuki Yamazaki
- 👤 Shinichiro Saito
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:40
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/12; G11B7/125; G11B7/127; G11B7/1275; G02; G02B; G02B13/00; G02B3/00; G02B3/10; G11B7/135; G11B7/1353; G11B7/1365; G11B7/1367; G11B7/1372; G11B7/1374; G11B7/1381; G11B7/139; G11B7/1392; G11B7/13922; G11B2007/0003; G11B2007/0006; G11B2007/13727
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 185
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
An optical pickup apparatus comprising: a light source for emitting light flux; a converging optical system having an optical axis, a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, the second portion being farther from the optical axis than the first portion, the third portion being farther from the optical axis than the second portion, and an image sensor, wherein the first portion and the third portion are capable of converging the light flux on a first information recording plane of a first optical information recording medium having a first transparent substrate of thickness t1, to reproduce information recorded in the first optical information recording medium, and wherein the first portion and the second portion are capable of converging the light flux on a second information recording plane of a second optical information recording medium having a second transparent substrate of thickness t2, to reproduce information recorded in the second optical information recording medium wherein t2 is greater than t1, and wherein the image sensor is capable of receiving light flux reflected from the first information recording plane or the second information recording plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
An optical pickup apparatus comprising: a light source for emitting light flux; a converging optical system having an optical axis, a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, the second portion being farther from the optical axis than the first portion, the third portion being farther from the optical axis than the second portion, and an image sensor, wherein the first portion and the third portion are capable of converging the light flux on a first information recording plane of a first optical information recording medium having a first transparent substrate of thickness t1, to reproduce information recorded in the first optical information recording medium, and wherein the first portion and the second portion are capable of converging the light flux on a second information recording plane of a second optical information recording medium having a second transparent substrate of thickness t2, to reproduce information recorded in the second optical information recording medium wherein t2 is greater than t1, and wherein the image sensor is capable of receiving light flux reflected from the first information recording plane or the second information recording plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first optical information recording medium and the second optical information recording medium are optical disks.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 1, wherein t1 is 0.6 mm and t2 is 1.2 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 3, wherein a refractive index of the first transparent substrate is 1.58 and a refractive index of the second transparent substrate is 1.58.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the first portion and the third portion converge the light flux on a first image forming position on the first information recording plane, the second portion converges the light flux on a second image forming position different from the first image forming position and closer to the converging optical system than the first image forming position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first portion and the third portion are capable of converging the light flux on the first information recording plane of the first optical information recording medium, so that wave front aberrations on the first information recording plane are not more than 0.05 λ rms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first portion is capable of converging the light flux on the second information recording plane of the second optical information recording medium, so that the best-fit wave front aberration on the second information recording plane is not more than 0.07 λ rms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second portion has a ring shape representing a circle concentric with the optical axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 1, wherein the converging optical system comprises an objective lens comprising the optical axis, the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
80 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 9, wherein the optical pickup apparatus further comprises a moving member for moving the objective lens in the direction of the optical axis, so that the first portion and the third portion converge the light flux on the first information recording plane of the first optical information recording medium, and the first portion and the second portion converge the light flux on the second information recording plane of the second optical information recording medium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 9, wherein the objective lens comprises a step provided on a boundary between the first portion and the second portion or between the second portion and the third portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 11, wherein the step is provided on a refracting surface closer to the light source of the objective lens.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second portion of the objective lens is indented relative to the first portion of the objective lens.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 9, wherein the objective lens comprises a protrusion portion at the circumference of the objective lens in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 9, wherein the objective lens comprises a first step provided on a boundary between the first portion and the second portion and a second step provided on a boundary between the second portion and the third portion, a depth of the second step being greater than a depth of the first step.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 9, wherein the objective lens further comprises a fourth portion and a fifth portion, the fourth portion being farther from the optical axis than the third portion, the fifth portion being farther from the optical axis than the fourth portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second portion of the objective lens comprises a hologram or a Fresnel lens.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 9, wherein the objective lens is made of plastic.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second portion has a ring shape representing a circle concentric with the optical axis, and a ratio of a width of the second portion to a radius of the objective lens is about 29%.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 9, wherein a collimated light flux enters the objective lens.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 9, wherein a divergent light flux enters the objective lens.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
56 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 1, wherein an angle between a normal line at a central position of a surface of the second portion and the optical axis is larger than an angle between a normal line at a central position of a surface interpolated from the first and third portion and the optical axis.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
55 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first portion and the third portion converge the light flux on the first information recording plane of the first optical information recording medium, and wherein a spherical aberration curve according to the second portion is positioned under a spherical aberration curve according to the first portion.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
65 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 1, wherein the following condition is satisfied: 0.60·NA2<NAL<1.30·NA2 where NA2 represents a numerical aperture on a side of the second optical information recording medium of the converging optical system required for reproducing information recorded in the second optical information recording medium, and NAL represents a numerical aperture in a border portion between the first portion and the second portion.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
83 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 1, wherein the following condition is satisfied: 0.60·NA2<NAL<1.30·NA2 0.01<NAH-NAL<0.12 where NA2 represents a numerical aperture on a side of the second optical information recording medium of the converging optical system required for reproducing information recorded in the second optical information recording medium, NAL represents a numerical aperture in a border portion between the first portion and the second portion, and NAH represents a numerical aperture in a border portion between the second portion and the third portion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion define concentric circles.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
247 words
An optical pickup apparatus comprising: a light source for emitting light flux; a converging optical system having an optical axis, a first divided surface, a second divided surface, and a third divided surface, for converging the light flux emitted from the light source; and an image sensor, wherein the second divided surface is farther from the optical axis than the first divided surface and the third divided surface is farther from the optical axis than the second divided surface, wherein the converging optical system converges a first light flux which passes through the first divided surface and a third light flux which passes through the third divided surface on a first information recording plane of a first optical information recording medium through a first transparent substrate of the first optical information recording medium, to reproduce information recorded in the first optical information recording medium, the thickness of the first transparent substrate being t1, wherein the converging optical system converges the first light flux and a second light flux which passes through the second divided surface on a second information recording plane of a second optical information recording medium through a second transparent substrate of the second optical information recording medium, to reproduce information recorded in the second optical information recording medium, the thickness of the first transparent substrate being t2 and t2 being greater than t1, and wherein the image sensor is capable of receiving light flux reflected from the first or second optical information recording medium.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
247 words
An optical pickup apparatus comprising: a light source for emitting light flux; a converging optical system having an optical axis, a first divided surface, a second divided surface, and a third divided surface, for converging the light flux emitted from the light source; and an image sensor, wherein the second divided surface is farther from the optical axis than the first divided surface and the third divided surface is farther from the optical axis than the second divided surface, wherein the converging optical system converges a first light flux which passes through the first divided surface and a third light flux which passes through the third divided surface on a first information recording plane of a first optical information recording medium through a first transparent substrate of the first optical information recording medium, to reproduce information recorded in the first optical information recording medium, the thickness of the first transparent substrate being t1, wherein the converging optical system converges the first light flux and a second light flux which passes through the second divided surface on a second information recording plane of a second optical information recording medium through a second transparent substrate of the second optical information recording medium, to reproduce information recorded in the second optical information recording medium, the thickness of the first transparent substrate being t2 and t2 being greater than t1, and wherein the image sensor is capable of receiving light flux reflected from the first or second optical information recording medium.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 27, wherein the first optical information recording medium and the second optical information recording medium are optical disks.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 27, wherein t1 is 0.6 mm and t2 is 1.2 mm.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 27, wherein a refractive index of the first transparent substrate is 1.58 and a refractive index of the second transparent substrate is 1.58.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
72 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 27, wherein when the converging optical system converges the first light flux and the third light flux on a first image forming position which is on the first information recording plane, the converging optical system converges the second light flux on a second image forming position different from the first image forming position and closer to the converging optical system than the first image forming position.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
63 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 27, wherein the converging optical system converges the first light flux and the third light flux on the first information recording plane of the first optical information recording medium, so that wave front aberrations of the first light flux and the third light flux on the first information recording plane are not more than 0.05 λ rms.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
55 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 27, wherein the converging optical system converges the first light flux on the second information recording plane of the second optical information recording medium, so that the best-fit wave front aberration of the first light flux on the second information recording plane is not more than 0.07 λ rms.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 27, wherein the second divided surface has a ring shape representing a circle concentric with the optical axis.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 27, wherein the converging optical system comprises an objective lens comprising the optical axis, the first divided surface, the second divided surface, and the third divided surface.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
84 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 35, wherein the optical pickup apparatus further comprises a moving member for moving the objective lens in the direction of the optical axis, so that the objective lens converges the first light flux and the third light flux on the first information recording plane of the first optical information recording medium, and the objective lens converges the first light flux and the second light flux on the second information recording plane of the second optical information recording medium.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
39 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 35, wherein the objective lens comprises a step provided on a boundary between the first divided surface and the second divided surface or between the second divided surface and the third divided surface.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 37, wherein the step is provided on a refracting surface closer to the light source of the objective lens.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 37, wherein the second divided surface of the objective lens is indented relative to the first divided surface of the objective lens.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 35, wherein the objective lens comprises a protrusion portion at the circumference of the objective lens in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
58 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 35, wherein the objective lens comprises a first step provided on a boundary between the first portion and the second portion and a second step provided on a boundary between the second portion and the third portion, a depth of the second step being greater than a depth of the first step.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
52 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 35, wherein the objective lens further comprises a fourth divided surface and a fifth divided surface, the fourth divided surface being farther from the optical axis than the third divided surface, the fifth divided surface being farther from the optical axis than the fourth divided surface.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 35, wherein the second divided surface of the objective lens comprises a hologram or a Fresnel lens.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 35, wherein the objective lens is made of plastic.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
45 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 35, wherein the second divided surface has a ring shape representing a circle concentric with the optical axis, and a ratio of a width of the second divided surface to a radius of the objective lens is about 29%.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 35, wherein a collimated light flux enters the objective lens.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 35, wherein a divergent light flux enters the objective lens.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
55 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 27, wherein an angle between a normal line at a central position of the second divided surface and the optical axis is larger than an angle between a normal line at a central position of a surface interpolated from the first and third divided surfaces and the optical axis.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
59 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 27, wherein the converging optical system converges the first light flux and third light flux on the first information recording plane of the first optical information recording medium, and wherein a spherical aberration curve according to the second divided surface is positioned under a spherical aberration curve according to the first divided surface.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
64 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 27, wherein the following condition is satisfied: 0.60·NA2<NAL<1.30·NA2 where NA2 represents a numerical aperture on a side of the second optical information recording medium of the converging optical system required for reproducing information recorded in the second optical information recording medium, and NAL represents a numerical aperture in a border portion between the first and second divided surfaces.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
81 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 27, wherein the following condition is satisfied: 0.60·NA2<NAL<1.30·NA2 0.01<NAH-NAL<0.12 where NA2 represents a numerical aperture on a side of the second optical information recording medium of the converging optical system required for reproducing information recorded in the second optical information recording medium, NAL represents a numerical aperture in a border portion between the first and second divided surfaces, and NAH represents a numerical aperture in a border portion between the second and third divided surfaces.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 27, wherein the first divided surface, the second divided surface, and the third divided surface define concentric circles.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
179 words
An optical pickup apparatus comprising: a light source for emitting light flux; a converging optical system having an optical axis, a first divided surface, a second divided surface, and a third divided surface in order from the vicinity of the optical axis, for converging the light flux emitted from the light source; and an image sensor, wherein a first light flux which passes through the first divided surface converges for reproducing information recorded in a first optical information recording medium having a first transparent substrate of thickness t1 and for reproducing information recorded in a second optical information recording medium having a second transparent substrate of thickness t2, t2 being greater than t1, wherein a second light flux which passes through the second divided surface converges for reproducing information recorded in the second optical information recording medium; wherein a third light flux which passes through the third divided surface converges for reproducing information recorded in the first optical information recording medium; and wherein the image sensor receives light flux reflected from the first or second optical information recording medium.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
179 words
An optical pickup apparatus comprising: a light source for emitting light flux; a converging optical system having an optical axis, a first divided surface, a second divided surface, and a third divided surface in order from the vicinity of the optical axis, for converging the light flux emitted from the light source; and an image sensor, wherein a first light flux which passes through the first divided surface converges for reproducing information recorded in a first optical information recording medium having a first transparent substrate of thickness t1 and for reproducing information recorded in a second optical information recording medium having a second transparent substrate of thickness t2, t2 being greater than t1, wherein a second light flux which passes through the second divided surface converges for reproducing information recorded in the second optical information recording medium; wherein a third light flux which passes through the third divided surface converges for reproducing information recorded in the first optical information recording medium; and wherein the image sensor receives light flux reflected from the first or second optical information recording medium.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 53, wherein the first optical information recording medium and the second optical information recording medium are optical disks.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 53, wherein t1 is 0.6 mm and t2 is 1.2 mm.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
29 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 55, wherein a refractive index of the first transparent substrate is 1.58 and a refractive index of the second transparent substrate is 1.58.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
69 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 53, wherein when the first light flux and the third light flux converge on a first image forming position on a first information recording plane of the first optical information recording medium, the second light flux converges on a second image forming position different from the first image forming position and closer to the converging optical system than the first image forming position.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
59 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 53, wherein the first light flux and the third light flux converge on a first information recording plane of the first optical information recording medium, so that wave front aberrations of the first light flux and the third light flux on the first information recording plane are not more than 0.05 λ rms.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
51 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 53, wherein the first light flux converges on a second information recording plane of the second optical information recording medium, so that the best-fit wave front aberration of the first light flux on the second information recording plane is not more than 0.07 λ rms.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 53, wherein the second divided surface has a ring shape representing a circle concentric with the optical axis.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
33 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 53, wherein the converging optical system comprises an objective lens comprising the optical axis, the first divided surface, the second divided surface, and the third divided surface.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
78 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 61, wherein the optical pickup apparatus further comprises a moving member for moving the objective lens in the direction of the optical axis, so that the first light flux and the third light flux converge on a first information recording plane of the first optical information recording medium, and the first light flux and the second light flux converge on the second information recording plane of the second optical information recording medium.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
39 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 61, wherein the objective lens comprises a step provided on a boundary between the first divided surface and the second divided surface or between the second divided surface and the third divided surface.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 63, wherein the step is provided on a refracting surface closer to the light source of the objective lens.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
28 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 63, wherein the second divided surface of the objective lens is indented relative to the first divided surface of the objective lens.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 61, wherein the objective lens comprises a protrusion portion at the circumference of the objective lens in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
58 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 61, wherein the objective lens comprises a first step provided on a boundary between the first portion and the second portion and a second step provided on a boundary between the second portion and the third portion, a depth of the second step being greater than a depth of the first step.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
52 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 61, wherein the objective lens further comprises a fourth divided surface and a fifth divided surface, the fourth divided surface being farther from the optical axis than the third divided surface, the fifth divided surface being farther from the optical axis than the fourth divided surface.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 61, wherein the second divided surface of the objective lens comprises a hologram or a Fresnel lens.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 61, wherein the objective lens is made of plastic.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
45 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 61, wherein the second divided surface has a ring shape representing a circle concentric with the optical axis, and a ratio of a width of the second divided surface to a radius of the objective lens is about 29%.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 61, wherein a collimated light flux enters the objective lens.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 61, wherein a divergent light flux enters the objective lens.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
58 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 53, wherein an angle between a normal line at a central position of a surface of the second divided surface and the optical axis is larger than an angle between a normal line at a central position of a surface interpolated from the first and third divided surfaces and the optical axis.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
56 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 53, wherein the first light flux and the third light flux converge on a first information recording plane of the first optical information recording medium, and wherein a spherical aberration curve according to the second divided surface is positioned under a spherical aberration curve according to the first divided surface.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
64 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 53, wherein the following condition is satisfied: 0.60·NA2<NAL<1.30·NA2 where NA2 represents a numerical aperture on a side of the second optical information recording medium of the converging optical system required for reproducing information recorded in the second optical information recording medium, and NAL represents a numerical aperture in a border portion between the first and second divided surfaces.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
81 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 53, wherein the following condition is satisfied: 0.60·NA2<NAL<1.30·NA2 0.01<NAH-NAL<0.12 where NA2 represents a numerical aperture on a side of the second optical information recording medium of the converging optical system required for reproducing information recorded in the second optical information recording medium, NAL represents a numerical aperture in a border portion between the first and second divided surfaces, and NAH represents a numerical aperture in a border portion between the second and third divided surfaces.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical pickup apparatus of claim 53, wherein the first divided surface, the second divided surface, and the third divided surface define concentric circles.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
213 words
An objective lens having an aspherical face for use in an optical pickup apparatus comprising: an optical surface having a first divided surface, a second divided surface, and a third divided surface, the second divided surface being farther from the optical axis than the first divided surface and the third divided surface being farther from the optical axis than the second divided surface, the objective lens being capable of converging a first light flux which passes through the first divided surface and a third light flux which passes through the third divided surface on a first information recording plane of a first optical information recording medium through a first transparent substrate of the first optical information recording medium, to reproduce information recorded in the first optical information recording medium, the thickness of the first transparent substrate being t1, and the objective lens being capable of converging the first light flux and a second light flux which passes through the second divided surface on a second information recording plane of a second optical information recording medium through a second transparent substrate of the second optical information recording medium, to reproduce information recorded in the second optical information recording medium, the thickness of the first transparent substrate being t2, and t2 being greater than t1.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
213 words
An objective lens having an aspherical face for use in an optical pickup apparatus comprising: an optical surface having a first divided surface, a second divided surface, and a third divided surface, the second divided surface being farther from the optical axis than the first divided surface and the third divided surface being farther from the optical axis than the second divided surface, the objective lens being capable of converging a first light flux which passes through the first divided surface and a third light flux which passes through the third divided surface on a first information recording plane of a first optical information recording medium through a first transparent substrate of the first optical information recording medium, to reproduce information recorded in the first optical information recording medium, the thickness of the first transparent substrate being t1, and the objective lens being capable of converging the first light flux and a second light flux which passes through the second divided surface on a second information recording plane of a second optical information recording medium through a second transparent substrate of the second optical information recording medium, to reproduce information recorded in the second optical information recording medium, the thickness of the first transparent substrate being t2, and t2 being greater than t1.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
22 words
The objective of claim 79, wherein the first optical information recording medium and the second optical information recording medium are optical disks.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
16 words
The objective lens of claim 79, wherein t1 is 0.6 mm and t2 is 1.2 mm.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
28 words
The objective lens of claim 81, wherein a refractive index of the first transparent substrate is 1.58 and a refractive index of the second transparent substrate is 1.58.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
64 words
The objective lens of claim 79, wherein the objective lens is capable of converging the first light flux and the third light flux on the first information recording plane of the first optical information recording medium, so that wave front aberrations of the first light flux and the third light flux on the first information recording plane are not more than 0.05 λ rms.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
56 words
The objective lens of claim 79, wherein the objective lens is capable of converging the first light flux on the second information recording plane of the second optical information recording medium, so that the best-fit wave front aberration of the first light flux on the second information recording plane is not more than 0.07 λ rms.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
23 words
The objective lens of claim 79, wherein the second divided surface has a ring shape representing a circle concentric with the optical axis.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
39 words
The objective lens of claim 79, wherein the objective lens further comprises a step provided on a boundary between the first divided surface and the second divided surface or between the second divided surface and the third divided surface.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
27 words
The objective lens of claim 86, wherein the second divided surface of the objective lens is indented relative to the first divided surface of the objective lens.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
29 words
The objective lens of claim 79, wherein the objective lens comprises a protrusion portion at the circumference of the objective lens in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
61 words
The objective lens of claim 79, wherein the objective lens comprises a first step provided on a boundary between the first divided surface and the second divided surface and a second step provided on a boundary between the second divided surface and the third divided surface, a depth of the second step being greater than a depth of the first step.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
51 words
The objective lens of claim 79, wherein the objective lens further comprises a fourth divided surface and a fifth divided surface, the fourth divided surface being farther from the optical axis than the third divided surface, the fifth divided surface being farther from the optical axis than the fourth divided surface.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
18 words
The objective lens of claim 79, wherein the second divided surface comprises a hologram or a Fresnel lens.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
14 words
The objective lens of claim 79, wherein the objective lens is made of plastic.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
44 words
The objective lens of claim 79, wherein the second divided surface has a ring shape representing a circle concentric with the optical axis, and a ratio of a width of the second divided surface to a radius of the objective lens is about 29%.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
54 words
The objective lens of claim 79, wherein an angle between a normal line at a central position of the second divided surface and the optical axis is larger than an angle between a normal line at a central position of a surface interpolated from the first and third divided surfaces and the optical axis.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
56 words
The objective lens of claim 79, wherein the objective lens converges the first light flux and third light flux on the first information recording plane of the first optical information recording medium, wherein a spherical aberration curve according to the second divided surface is positioned under a spherical aberration curve according to the first divided surface.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
62 words
The objective lens of claim 79, wherein the following condition is satisfied: 0.60·NA2<NAL<1.30·NA2 where NA2 represents a numerical aperture on a side of the second optical information recording medium of the objective lens required for reproducing information recorded in the second optical information recording medium, and NAL represents a numerical aperture in a border portion between the first and second divided surfaces.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
79 words
The objective lens of claim 79, wherein the following condition is satisfied: 0.60·NA2<NAL<1.30·NA2 0.01<NAH-NAL<0.12 where NA2 represents a numerical aperture on a side of the second optical information recording medium of the objective lens required for reproducing information recorded in the second optical information recording medium, NAL represents a numerical aperture in a border portion between the first and second divided surfaces, and NAH represents a numerical aperture in a border portion between the second and third divided surfaces.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
24 words
The objective lens of claim 79, wherein the first divided surface, the second divided surface, and the third divided surface define on concentric circles.
Claim 103
Independent Claim
253 words
A method of reproducing information recorded in an optical information recording media having a plurality of substrate thicknesses, by an optical pickup apparatus comprising a converging optical system having an optical axis, a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, the second portion being farther from the optical axis than the first portion, and the third portion being farther from the optical axis than the second portion, the method comprising the steps of: emitting light flux from a light source, converging the light flux by the converging optical system on an optical information recording medium, and receiving light flux reflected from the optical information recording medium by an image sensor; wherein, when reproducing information recorded in a first optical information recording medium having a first transparent substrate of thickness t1, a first light flux which passes through the first portion and a third light flux which passes through the third portion converge on a first information recording plane of the first optical information recording medium through the first transparent substrate, to reproduce information recorded in the first optical information recording medium, and wherein, when reproducing information recorded in a second optical information recording medium having a second transparent substrate of thickness t2, greater than t1, the first light flux and a second light flux which passes through the second portion converge on a second information recording plane of the second optical information recording medium through the second transparent substrate, to reproduce the information recorded in the second optical information recording medium.
Claim 104
Independent Claim
253 words
A method of reproducing information recorded in an optical information recording media having a plurality of substrate thicknesses, by an optical pickup apparatus comprising a converging optical system having an optical axis, a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, the second portion being farther from the optical axis than the first portion, and the third portion being farther from the optical axis than the second portion, the method comprising the steps of: emitting light flux from a light source, converging the light flux by the converging optical system on an optical information recording medium, and receiving light flux reflected from the optical information recording medium by an image sensor; wherein, when reproducing information recorded in a first optical information recording medium having a first transparent substrate of thickness t1, a first light flux which passes through the first portion and a third light flux which passes through the third portion converge on a first information recording plane of the first optical information recording medium through the first transparent substrate, to reproduce information recorded in the first optical information recording medium, and wherein, when reproducing information recorded in a second optical information recording medium having a second transparent substrate of thickness t2, greater than t1, the first light flux and a second light flux which passes through the second portion converge on a second information recording plane of the second optical information recording medium through the second transparent substrate, to reproduce the information recorded in the second optical information recording medium.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 99, wherein the first optical information recording medium and the second optical information recording medium are optical disks.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 99, wherein t1 is 0.6 mm and t2 is 1.2 mm.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 101, wherein a refractive index of the first transparent substrate is 1.58 and a refractive index of the second transparent substrate is 1.58.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 99, wherein when the first light flux and the third light flux converge on a first image forming position on the first information recording plane, the second light flux converges on a second image forming position different from the first image forming position and closer to the converging optical system than the first image forming position.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 99, wherein the first light flux and the third light flux converge on the first information recording plane of the first optical information recording medium, so that wave front aberrations of the first light flux and the third light flux on the first information recording plane are not more than 0.05 λ rms.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 99, wherein the first light flux converges on the second information recording plane of the second optical information recording medium, wherein the best-fit wave front aberration of the first light flux on the second information recording plane is not more than 0.07 λ rms.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 99, wherein the second portion has a ring shape representing a circle concentric with the optical axis.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 99, wherein the converging optical system comprises an objective lens comprising the optical axis, the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 107, wherein the optical pickup apparatus further comprises a moving member for moving the objective lens in the direction of the optical axis, so that the first light flux and the third light flux converge on the first information recording plane of the first optical information recording medium, and the first light flux and the second light flux converge on the second information recording plane of the second optical information recording medium.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 107, wherein the objective lens comprises a step provided on a boundary between the first portion and the second portion or between the second portion and the third portion.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 109, wherein the step is provided on a refracting surface closer to the light source of the objective lens.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 109, wherein the second portion of the objective lens is indented relative to the first portion of the objective lens.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 107, wherein the objective lens comprises a protrusion portion at the circumference of the objective lens in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 107, wherein the objective lens comprises a first step provided on a boundary between the first portion and the second portion and a second step provided on a boundary between the second portion and the third portion, a depth of the second step being greater than a depth of the first step.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 107 wherein the objective lens further comprises a fourth portion and a fifth portion, the fourth portion being farther from the optical axis than the third portion, the fifth portion being farther from the optical axis than the fourth portion.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 107, wherein the second portion of the objective lens comprises a hologram or a Fresnel lens.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 107, wherein the objective lens is made of plastic.
Claim 122
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 107, wherein the second portion has a ring shape representing a circle concentric with the optical axis, and a ratio of a width of the second portion to a radius of the objective lens is about 29%.
Claim 123
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 107, wherein a collimated light flux enters the objective lens.
Claim 124
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 107, wherein a divergent light flux enters the objective lens.
Claim 125
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 99, wherein an angle between a normal line at a central position of a surface of the second portion and the optical axis is larger than an angle between a normal line at a central position of a surface interpolated from the first and third portion and the optical axis.
Claim 126
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 99, wherein the first light flux and the third light flux converge on the first information recording plane of the first optical information recording medium, wherein a spherical aberration curve according to the second portion is positioned under a spherical aberration curve according to the first portion.
Claim 127
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 99, wherein the following condition is satisfied: 0.60·NA2<NAL<1.30·NA2 where NA2 represents a numerical aperture on a side of the second optical information recording medium of the converging optical system required for reproducing information recorded in the second optical information recording medium, and NAL represents a numerical aperture in a border portion between the first and second portions.
Claim 128
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 99, wherein the following condition is satisfied: 0.60·NA2<NAL<1.30·NA2 0.01<NAH-NAL<0.12 where NA2 represents a numerical aperture on a side of the second optical information recording medium of the converging optical system required for reproducing information recorded in the second optical information recording medium, NAL represents a numerical aperture in a border portion between the first and second portions, and NAH represents a numerical aperture in a border portion between the second and third portions.
Claim 129
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 99, wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion define concentric circles.
Claim 130
Independent Claim
264 words
A method of reproducing information recorded in an optical information recording media having a plurality of substrate thicknesses, by an optical pickup apparatus comprising a converging optical system having an optical axis, a first divided surface, a second divided surface, and a third divided surface, the second divided surface being farther from the optical axis than the first divided surface, the third divided surface being farther from the optical axis than the second divided surface, the method comprising the steps of: emitting light flux from a light source, converging the light flux by the converging optical system on an optical information recording medium, and receiving light flux reflected from the optical information recording medium by an image sensor, wherein, when reproducing information recorded in a first optical information recording medium having a first transparent substrate of thickness t1, a first light flux which passes through the first divided surface and a third light flux which passes through the third divided surface converge on a first information recording plane of the first optical information recording medium through the first transparent substrate, to reproduce information recorded in the first optical information recording medium, and wherein, when reproducing information recorded in a second optical information recording medium having a second transparent substrate of thickness t2, t2 being greater than t1, the first light flux and a second light flux which passes through the second divided surface converge on a second information recording plane of the second optical information recording medium through the second transparent substrate, to reproduce the information recorded in the second optical information recording medium.
Claim 131
Independent Claim
264 words
A method of reproducing information recorded in an optical information recording media having a plurality of substrate thicknesses, by an optical pickup apparatus comprising a converging optical system having an optical axis, a first divided surface, a second divided surface, and a third divided surface, the second divided surface being farther from the optical axis than the first divided surface, the third divided surface being farther from the optical axis than the second divided surface, the method comprising the steps of: emitting light flux from a light source, converging the light flux by the converging optical system on an optical information recording medium, and receiving light flux reflected from the optical information recording medium by an image sensor, wherein, when reproducing information recorded in a first optical information recording medium having a first transparent substrate of thickness t1, a first light flux which passes through the first divided surface and a third light flux which passes through the third divided surface converge on a first information recording plane of the first optical information recording medium through the first transparent substrate, to reproduce information recorded in the first optical information recording medium, and wherein, when reproducing information recorded in a second optical information recording medium having a second transparent substrate of thickness t2, t2 being greater than t1, the first light flux and a second light flux which passes through the second divided surface converge on a second information recording plane of the second optical information recording medium through the second transparent substrate, to reproduce the information recorded in the second optical information recording medium.
Claim 132
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 125, wherein the first optical information recording medium and the second optical information recording medium are optical disks.
Claim 133
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 126, wherein t1 is 0.6 mm and t2 is 1.2 mm.
Claim 134
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 127, wherein a refractive index of the first transparent substrate is 1.58 and a refractive index of the second transparent substrate is 1.58.
Claim 135
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 125, wherein when the first light flux and the third light flux converge on a first image forming position on the first information recording plane, the second light flux converges on a second image forming position different from the first image forming position and closer to the converging optical system than the first image forming position.
Claim 136
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 125, wherein the first light flux and the third light flux converge on the first information recording plane of the first optical information recording medium, so that wave front aberrations of the first light flux and the third light flux on the first information recording plane are not more than 0.05 λ rms.
Claim 137
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 125, wherein the first light flux is converged on the second information recording plane of the second optical information recording medium, so that the best-fit wave front aberration of the first light flux on the second information recording plane is not more than 0.07 λ rms.
Claim 138
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 125, wherein the second divided surface has a ring shape representing a circle concentric with the optical axis.
Claim 139
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 125, wherein the converging optical system comprises an objective lens comprising the optical axis, the first divided surface, the second divided surface, and the third divided surface.
Claim 140
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 133, wherein the optical pickup apparatus further comprises a moving member for moving the objective lens in the direction of the optical axis, so that the first light flux and the third light flux converge on the first information recording plane of the first optical information recording medium, and the first light flux and the second light flux converge on the second information recording plane of the second optical information recording medium.
Claim 141
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 133, wherein the objective lens comprises a step provided on a boundary between the first divided surface and the second divided surface or between the second divided surface and the third divided surface.
Claim 142
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 135, wherein the step is provided on a refracting surface closer to the light source of the objective lens.
Claim 143
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 135, wherein the second divided surface of the objective lens is indented relative to the first divided surface of the objective lens.
Claim 144
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 133, wherein the objective lens comprises a protrusion divided surface at the circumference of the objective lens in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.
Claim 145
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 133, wherein the objective lens comprises a first step provided on a boundary between the first divided surface and the second divided surface and a second step provided on a boundary between the second divided surface and the third divided surface, and a depth of the second step being greater than a depth of the first step.
Claim 146
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 133 wherein the objective lens further comprises a fourth divided surface and a fifth divided surface, the fourth divided surface being farther from the optical axis than the third divided surface, the fifth divided surface being farther from the optical axis than the fourth divided surface.
Claim 147
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 133, wherein the second divided surface of the objective lens comprises a hologram or a Fresnel lens.
Claim 148
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 133, wherein the objective lens is made of plastic.
Claim 149
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 133, wherein the second divided surface has a ring shape representing a circle concentric with the optical axis, and a ratio of a width of the second divided surface to a radius of the objective lens is about 29%.
Claim 150
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 133, wherein a collimated light flux enters the objective lens.
Claim 151
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 133, wherein a divergent light flux enters the objective lens.
Claim 152
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 125, wherein an angle between a normal line at a central position of a surface of the second divided surface and the optical axis is larger than an angle between a normal line at a central position of a surface interpolated from the first and third divided surface and the optical axis.
Claim 153
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 125, wherein the first light flux and the third light flux converge on the first information recording plane of the first optical information recording medium, wherein a spherical aberration curve according to the second divided surface is positioned under a spherical aberration curve according to the first divided surface.
Claim 154
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 125, wherein the following condition is satisfied: 0.60·NA2<NAL<1.30·NA2 where NA2 represents a numerical aperture on a side of the second optical information recording medium of the converging optical system required for reproducing information recorded in the second optical information recording medium, and NAL represents a numerical aperture in a border divided surface between the first and second divided surfaces.
Claim 155
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 125, wherein the following condition is satisfied: 0.60·NA2<NAL<1.30·NA2 0.01<NAH-NAL<0.12 where NA2 represents a numerical aperture on a side of the second optical information recording medium of the converging optical system required for reproducing information recorded in the second optical information recording medium, NAL represents a numerical aperture in a border divided surface between the first and second divided surfaces, and NAH represents a numerical aperture in a border divided surface between the second and third divided surfaces.
Claim 156
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 125, wherein the first divided surface, the second divided surface, and the third divided surface define concentric circles.
Claim 157
Dependent Claim
195 words
An optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus including an optical pickup apparatus, the optical pickup apparatus comprising: a light source for emitting light flux; a converging optical system having an optical axis, a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, the second portion being farther from the optical axis than the first portion, the third portion being farther from the optical axis than the second portion, and an image sensor, wherein the first portion and the third portion are capable of converging the light flux on a first information recording plane of a first optical information recording medium having a first transparent substrate of thickness t1, to reproduce information recorded in the first optical information recording medium, wherein the first portion and the second portion are capable of converging the light flux on a second information recording plane of a second optical information recording medium having a second transparent substrate of thickness t2, to reproduce information recorded in the second optical information recording medium, t2 being greater than t1, and wherein the image sensor is capable of receiving light flux reflected from the first information recording plane or the second information recording plane.
Claim 158
Dependent Claim
195 words
An optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus including an optical pickup apparatus, the optical pickup apparatus comprising: a light source for emitting light flux; a converging optical system having an optical axis, a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, the second portion being farther from the optical axis than the first portion, the third portion being farther from the optical axis than the second portion, and an image sensor, wherein the first portion and the third portion are capable of converging the light flux on a first information recording plane of a first optical information recording medium having a first transparent substrate of thickness t1, to reproduce information recorded in the first optical information recording medium, wherein the first portion and the second portion are capable of converging the light flux on a second information recording plane of a second optical information recording medium having a second transparent substrate of thickness t2, to reproduce information recorded in the second optical information recording medium, t2 being greater than t1, and wherein the image sensor is capable of receiving light flux reflected from the first information recording plane or the second information recording plane.
Claim 159
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus of claim 151, wherein the first optical information recording medium and the second optical information recording medium are optical disks.
Claim 160
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus of claim 151, wherein t1 is 0.6 mm and t2 is 1.2 mm.
Claim 161
Dependent Claim
32 words
The optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus of claim 186, wherein a refractive index of the first transparent substrate is 1.58 and a refractive index of the second transparent substrate is 1.58.
Claim 162
Dependent Claim
68 words
The optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus of claim 151, wherein when the first portion and the third portion converge the light flux on a first image forming position on the first information recording plane, the second portion converges the light flux on a second image forming position different from the first image forming position and closer to the converging optical system than the first image forming position.
Claim 163
Dependent Claim
56 words
The optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus of claim 151, wherein the first portion and the third portion are capable of converging the light flux on the first information recording plane of the first optical information recording medium, so that wave front aberrations on the first information recording plane are not more than 0.05 λ rms.
Claim 164
Dependent Claim
54 words
The optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus of claim 151, wherein the first portion is capable of converging the light flux on the second information recording plane of the second optical information recording medium, so that the best-fit wave front aberration on the second information recording plane is not more than 0.07 λ rms.
Claim 165
Dependent Claim
26 words
The optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus of claim 151, wherein the second portion has a ring shape representing a circle concentric with the optical axis.
Claim 166
Dependent Claim
33 words
The optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus of claim 151, wherein the converging optical system comprises an objective lens comprising the optical axis, the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion.
Claim 167
Dependent Claim
83 words
The optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus of claim 159, wherein the optical pickup apparatus further comprises a moving member for moving the objective lens in the direction of the optical axis, so that the first portion and the third portion converge the light flux on the first information recording plane of the first optical information recording medium, and the first portion and the second portion converge the light flux on the second information recording plane of the second optical information recording medium.
Claim 168
Dependent Claim
38 words
The optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus of claim 159, wherein the objective lens comprises a step provided on a boundary between the first portion and the second portion or between the second portion and the third portion.
Claim 169
Dependent Claim
28 words
The optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus of claim 161, wherein the step is provided on a refracting surface closer to the light source of the objective lens.
Claim 170
Dependent Claim
29 words
The optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus of claim 161, wherein the second portion of the objective lens is indented relative to the first portion of the objective lens.
Claim 171
Dependent Claim
33 words
The optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus of claim 159, wherein the objective lens comprises a protrusion portion at the circumference of the objective lens in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.
Claim 172
Dependent Claim
61 words
The optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus of claim 159, wherein the objective lens comprises a first step provided on a boundary between the first portion and the second portion and a second step provided on a boundary between the second portion and the third portion, a depth of the second step being greater than a depth of the first step.
Claim 173
Dependent Claim
49 words
The optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus of claim 159, wherein the objective lens further comprises a fourth portion and a fifth portion, the fourth portion being farther from the optical axis than the third portion, the fifth portion being farther from the optical axis than the fourth portion.
Claim 174
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus of claim 159, wherein the second portion of the objective lens comprises a hologram or a Fresnel lens.
Claim 175
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus of claim 159, wherein the objective lens is made of plastic.
Claim 176
Dependent Claim
46 words
The optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus of claim 159, wherein the second portion has a ring shape representing a circle concentric with the optical axis, and a ratio of a width of the second portion to a radius of the objective lens is about 29%.
Claim 177
Dependent Claim
19 words
The optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus of claim 159, wherein a collimated light flux enters the objective lens.
Claim 178
Dependent Claim
19 words
The optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus of claim 159, wherein a divergent light flux enters the objective lens.
Claim 179
Dependent Claim
59 words
The optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus of claim 151, wherein an angle between a normal line at a central position of a surface of the second portion and the optical axis is larger than an angle between a normal line at a central position of a surface interpolated from the first and third portion and the optical axis.
Claim 180
Dependent Claim
57 words
The optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus of claim 151, wherein the first portion and the third portion converge the light flux on the first information recording plane of the first optical information recording medium, wherein a spherical aberration curve according to the second portion is positioned under a spherical aberration curve according to the first portion.
Claim 181
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus of claim 151, wherein the following condition is satisfied:
Claim 182
Dependent Claim
50 words
60·NA2<NAL<1.30·NA2 where NA2 represents a numerical aperture on a side of the second optical information recording medium of the converging optical system required for reproducing information recorded in the second optical information recording medium, and NAL represents a numerical aperture in a border portion between the first and second portions.
Claim 183
Dependent Claim
50 words
60·NA2<NAL<1.30·NA2 where NA2 represents a numerical aperture on a side of the second optical information recording medium of the converging optical system required for reproducing information recorded in the second optical information recording medium, and NAL represents a numerical aperture in a border portion between the first and second portions.
Claim 184
Dependent Claim
83 words
The optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus of claim 151, wherein the following condition is satisfied: 6.60·NA2<NAL<1.30·NA2 0.01<NAH-NAL 0.12 where NA2 represents a numerical aperture on a side of the second optical information recording medium of the converging optical system required for reproducing information recorded in the second optical information recording medium, NAL represents a numerical aperture in a border portion between the first and second portions, and NAH represents a numerical aperture in a border portion between the second and third portions.
Claim 185
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical information recording medium reproducing apparatus of claim 151, wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion define concentric circles.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-05-09 | 2003-11-08 | 2004-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-09 | 2007-11-08 | 2008-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-09 | 2011-11-08 | 2012-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |