Patent ID: 6603715
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
An optical disk changer for reading a first and a second side of an optical disk comprising:a base; a carrousel rotationally coupled to the base, the carrousel being configured to hold a plurality of dual-sided optical disks; an optical disk reader centrally disposed with respect to the carrousel; a bidirectional first loading mechanism carried adjacent a first side of the optical disk reader, the first loading mechanism being adapted to translate a disk in a first direction from the carrousel into the first side of the disk reader and to translate a disk in a second direction from the disk reader onto the carrousel; a bidirectional second loading mechanism carried adjacent a second side of the optical disk reader, the second loading mechanism being adapted to translate a disk in the second direction from the carrousel into the second side of the disk reader and to translate a disk in the first direction from the disk reader onto the carrousel; the first and second loading mechanisms being adapted to cooperate to transfer a single optical disk along a straight path from the carrousel into the first side of the disk reader, and out of the second side of the disk reader back onto the carrousel.