Optical scanner
AssigneeOptical Recording Corporation
InventorChing Chu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An optical scanner has focusing elements rotatable about a fixed axis. The elements are each mounted on a flexible radially extending suspension arm. A magnet is carried by each arm and passes a coil extending along the path of the elements. Current to the coil is controlled to induce movement of the arm in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation and effect focusing of the elements.
Claims31
An optical scanner having a stationary housing, a scanner assembly continuously rotatable in said housing about an axis of rotation and having a plurality of mounting members uniformly distributed about the axis of rotation and each carrying an optical element at a location spaced from the rotational axis of said assembly to cause each said optical element to move in a circular path relative to the housing and pass periodically across and scan a record, each of said mounting members being flexible to permit movement of the respective optical element in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation, and electromagnetic drive means including a coil secured to said stationary housing and, when energized, to produce an electromagnetic field in said coil by regulating current flowing through said coil, said electromagnetic field operable upon respective ones of said mounting members to control flexure of said respective ones of said mounting members as the optical element associated therewith passes over said record to thereby focus a light beam on said record.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.