Rectilinear scanner utilizing uniformly rotating components

摘要

Abstract: This paper describes a concept for scanning linear data tracks such as those found on Optical Memory Cards (OMCs), and shows several mechanisms by which the concept may be implemented. The scanner is made up of a combination of uniformly rotating components. In contradiction to conventional OMC scan mechanisms, the concept we present has no reciprocating components. A scan mechanism is described which relays an image of a small area on an OMC through a pair of periscopes to a location where it may be viewed by a conventional Optical Pickup Unit (OPU). The periscopes are constrained to rotate in such a way as to cause the small illuminated area to translate along a data track on the OMC in a linear fashion. Thus, from the fixed point of view of the OPU, it appears that the optical data spots are moving linearly across its field of regard, while in actuality, neither the OPU nor the OMC move. Only the uniformly rotating scanner mechanisms moves, and in so doing, it creates the appearance of relative linear motion between the OMC and the OPU. !3