Patent ID: 7210150
Filing Date: 2007-04-24
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. An optical disc driving apparatus for driving an optical disc while reading out information contained in said optical disc, said optical disc having an outer peripheral surface, said optical disc driving applications comprising: a housing formed with a loading slot having said optical disc passed therethrough; first detecting means for performing a detection of said outer peripheral surface of said optical disc being moved into said housing; and second detecting means for performing a detection of said outer peripheral surface of said optical disc being moved into said housing after said detection of said outer peripheral surface of said optical disc is performed by said first detecting means; and judging means for judging whether a single said optical disc or a plurality of partially overlapped said optical discs are passed through said loading slot of said housing based on results detected by said first and second detecting means, in which said housing has an imaginary center plane on which a center axis of said optical disc extends when said optical disc moves into said housing, an imaginary lateral plane perpendicular to said imaginary center plane, and said loading slot of said housing having an imaginary disc path on which said optical disc moves into said housing, said imaginary disc path being in perpendicular relationship with each of said imaginary center plane and said imaginary lateral plane, in which said first detecting means includes a pivotal member pivotably movable between angular positions thereof while being held in contact with said outer peripheral surface of said optical disc to be moved into said housing, and a detecting device for detecting said angular positions of said pivotal member, and in which said second detecting means includes an operation member accommodated in said housing in spaced relationship with said pivotal member of said first detecting means to be movable between operational positions thereof while being held in contact with said outer peripheral surface of said optical disc to be moved into said housing, a pivotal member to be pivotably movable between angular positions thereof in association with said operational positions of said operation member while being held in contact with said operation member, and a detecting device for detecting said angular positions of said pivotal member.