Abstract:
There is provided an information reproducing device capable of performing replacement of a medium with good operability. The information reproducing device includes a main body, a connector unit and a medium inserting unit of the main body, a lifting unit which is provided to be freely raised or lowered, a reproducing unit for reproducing at least information from the medium, an elastic member for applying a biasing force to the lifting unit and the main body in a direction that the lifting unit and the main body are pulled away from each other, a locking member for locking the main body and the lifting unit, and a regulating member for regulating the traveling distance between the main body and the lifting unit. In a state in which the main body and the lifting unit are locked by the locking member, the medium inserting unit is closed, and when the locking member is unlocked, the lifting unit is separated from the main body by the elastic member, and the medium inserting unit is opened.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to an information reproducing device capable of reproducing at least information in which the device can be connected to a portable terminal apparatus such as a portable information apparatus, a cellphone and a portable game machine and to a personal computer, etc.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     With the progress of digital technologies, different kinds of data to be processed are rapidly increasing. For this reason, data recordable and reproducible media suitable to various uses are being developed. As a recordable and reproducible medium for a computer or the like, a hard disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like is exemplified. In particular, a recordable and reproducible medium using an optical disk is widely used due to its economical cost per capacity at the time of the replacement of the optical disk and its random accessibility. Further, in the case of a read only memory (ROM), it is advantageous in that the disk can be easily manufactured.  
         [0005]     On the other hand, an apparatus such as a personal computer or the like using the recordable and reproducible medium which can be used outdoors as well as indoors is demanded. For example, a portable personal computer such as a laptop computer or the like, a portable apparatus such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellphone, a portable game machine, a digital camera, or the like is exemplified. In this case, if the storage capacity of a data recording device provided in a data recordable medium is small, a semiconductor memory is generally used. The semiconductor memory is advantageous in that is has low power consumption, high data transfer rate and durable resistance against breakdown because it has no mechanism section. However, the semiconductor memory is not suitable for a large-capacity recording medium because it is high in cost per storage capacity.  
         [0006]     In contrast, hard disk drives (HDD) which are widely used as the data recording device are suitable for a high-capacity recordable medium because the data transmission rate is high and the cost per storage capacity is low, although they are inferior to the semiconductor memory.  
         [0007]     At present, a portable apparatus such as the PDA or the like is provided with a standard connector using a card type medium called a Compact Flash (Registered Trademark) card (hereinafter, referred to as a CF card). In this case, the data storage capacity can be increased by connecting the connector to the semiconductor memory card or the hard disk drive (HDD) (generally referred to as a micro drive) which is used as a memory. Further, for other uses, the connector may be connected to a wireless unit, a local area network (LAN) card, a global positioning system (GPS) card, a digital camera unit, or a barcode unit, thereby expanding the uses of the portable apparatus.  
         [0008]     Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-97781 discloses a compact optical disk drive provided with a tray which is mounted on an main body of the optical disk drive so as to be freely opened or closed and which accommodates a cartridge having an optical disk built therein.  
         [0009]     However, in an information reproducing device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-97781, when the recording medium is replaced, the information reproducing device must be removed from the computer, which results in a problem in that its operability becomes poor.  
         [0010]     Further, a compact hard disk and a semiconductor memory are used as the memory for the portable terminal. However, when a user intends to view an image, he/she has no choice but to transmit data from a personal computer or other video players and to view the data using a display unit on the portable terminal.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The present invention has been made to solve the above conventional problems. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an information reproducing device capable of replacing a recording medium with good operability.  
         [0012]     The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an information reproducing device capable of replacing a recording medium with good operability in a state in which the information reproducing device is connected to a terminal apparatus.  
         [0013]     The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an information reproducing device capable of reproducing and displaying information on an optical disk medium with high distribution capability on a portable terminal.  
         [0014]     In order to solve the above object, the present invention provides an information reproducing device comprising: a main body; a connector unit provided in the main body for establishing an electrical connection with other apparatus; a medium inserting unit provided in the main body; a lifting unit which is provided to be freely raised or lowered with respect to the main body and which opens and closes the medium inserting unit; a reproducing unit held in the lifting unit for reproducing at least information from the medium; an elastic member for applying a biasing force to the lifting unit and the main body in a direction that the lifting unit and the main body are pulled away from each other; a locking member for locking the main body and the lifting unit; and a regulating member for regulating the traveling distance between the main body and the lifting unit. In a state in which the main body and the lifting unit are locked by the locking member, the medium inserting unit is closed, and when the locking member is unlocked, the lifting unit is separated from the main body by the elastic member, and the medium inserting unit is opened.  
         [0015]     According to the above construction of the present invention, while the medium inserting unit can be opened or closed by raising or lowering the lifting unit. Thus, in a state in which the connector unit is inserted into other apparatus, a medium can be replaced. As a result, the operability can be improved.  
         [0016]     In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, there is provided an information reproducing device comprising a main body, a connector unit provided in the main body for establishing an electrical connection with a terminal apparatus, a medium inserting unit provided in the main body for inserting a medium, a lifting unit which is provided so as to be freely raised or lowered with a cantilever mechanism having its one axis fixed to the main body and which opens and closes the medium inserting unit, and a reproducing unit held in the lifting unit for reproducing at least information from the medium. While the information reproducing device is connected to the terminal apparatus which controls the information reproducing device, the medium inserting unit is provided at a position where the medium can be replaced from a direction opposite to the direction that the information recording device is connected to the terminal apparatus.  
         [0017]     According to the present invention, while the connector unit is connected to the terminal apparatus, the medium inserting unit can be opened or closed by raising or lowering the lifting unit. Thus, in a state in which the information reproducing device is connected to the terminal apparatus, the medium can be replaced. Therefore, the operability can be improved.  
         [0018]     In order to solve the above object, the present invention provides an information reproducing device comprising an insertion slot into which an optical disk is inserted, a lifting unit which opens and closes the insertion slot, a reproducing unit held in the lifting unit for reproducing at least information from the optical disk, an electronic board which converts an optical signal output from the reproducing unit into an electrical signal, and a connector unit which establishes an electrical connection with other apparatus.  
         [0019]     According to the present invention, since information on a distributed content medium can be easily viewed using a display unit of a portable terminal, it is possible to realize an information reproducing device which allows compactness and simple operation without transmitting data from a personal computer or other video players. Also, since a distributed medium can be directly reproduced, the copyright thereof can be effectively protected. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an information reproducing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a partially enlarged view of the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a partially enlarged view of the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a partially enlarged view of the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing an optical cartridge used for the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing the information reproducing device according to the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 10  shows the operation of the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 11  shows the operation of the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 12  shows the operation of the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 13  shows the operation of the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 14  shows the operation of the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 15  shows the operation of the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 16  shows the operation of the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0036]      FIG. 17  shows the operation of the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 18  shows the operation of the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0038]      FIG. 19  shows the operation of the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0039]      FIG. 20  shows the operation of the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0040]      FIG. 21  shows the operation of the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0041]      FIG. 22  shows the operation of the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0042]      FIG. 23  is a side perspective view of an information reproducing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0043]      FIG. 24  is a front perspective view of the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0044]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view showing a structure of a recording and reproducing mechanism main body;  
         [0045]      FIG. 26  shows a state in which a recording and reproducing mechanism section is raised or lowered;  
         [0046]      FIG. 27  shows a state in which the recording and reproducing mechanism section is raised;  
         [0047]      FIG. 28  shows a first modification of the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0048]      FIG. 29  shows a state in which an optical disk cartridge is inserted, in the first modification of the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0049]      FIG. 30  shows a second modification of the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0050]      FIG. 31  shows a third modification of the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0051]      FIG. 32  is a perspective view showing a structure of a recording and reproducing mechanism main body of an information reproducing device according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0052]      FIG. 33  shows a state in which the recording and reproducing mechanism section raised or lowered;  
         [0053]      FIG. 34  is a perspective view showing a state in which the recording and reproducing mechanism section is raised;  
         [0054]      FIG. 35  shows a first modification according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0055]      FIG. 36  shows a second modification according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0056]      FIG. 37  is a perspective view showing an information reproducing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0057]      FIG. 38  is a partially enlarged view of the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0058]      FIG. 39  shows a state in which covers are removed from a recording and reproducing mechanism section in the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0059]      FIG. 40  shows a state in which a recording and reproducing mechanism section internal circuit board is removed from the recording and reproducing mechanism section in the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0060]      FIG. 41  is a perspective view showing a top surface of a connector section in the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0061]      FIG. 42  is a perspective view showing a bottom surface of the connector section in the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0062]      FIG. 43  shows an optical disc cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0063]      FIG. 44  shows the operation of the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0064]      FIG. 45  shows the operation of the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0065]      FIG. 46  shows a construction of a board in the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0066]     Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0067]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an information reproducing device according to the present embodiment generally comprises a recording and reproducing mechanism section  100  having a recording and reproducing device member (which either records information on an optical disk or reproduces information from the optical disk) of the optical disk, and an CF card standard mechanism section  101  having a connector and a main body corresponding to a CF card standard.  
         [0068]     First, the recording and reproducing mechanism section  100  will be described with reference to  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the reference numerals  1  and  2  indicate covers which cover the recording and reproducing mechanism section  100 , respectively. The cover  2  constitutes sidewalls, and the cover  1  constitutes a top surface. That is, the recording and reproducing mechanism section  100  is covered with the covers  1  and  2 . The covers  1  and  2  may be made of either the same material or materials different from each other. In the best mode, the cover is made of a resinous material and the cover  1  is made of a metallic material, so that effects such as an improved heat dissipating property and electronic noise leakage prevention of the recording and reproducing mechanism section  100  can be obtained. Naturally, materials for the covers  1  and  2  can be appropriately selected to solve a heat problem, a noise problem, and a problem of mechanical rigidity.  
         [0069]     The reference numeral  3  indicates a vertical guide member made of a material, such as metal, for lifting the recording and reproducing mechanism section  100  in a vertical direction.  
         [0070]      FIG. 3  shows a state in which the covers  1  and  2  are removed from the recording and reproducing mechanism section  100 . In  FIG. 3 , the reference numeral  10  indicate a recording and reproducing mechanism section internal circuit board which is provided within the recording and reproducing mechanism section  100 , the reference numeral  11  indicates a flexible printed circuit (hereinafter, referred to as FPC) for an optical pickup signal which transmits and receives a signal read from the optical disk, the reference numeral  12  indicate an inter-board FPC which transmits a signal to or receives a signal from a circuit board within the CF card standard mechanism section  101 , and the reference numeral  13  indicate an electronic switch which is mounted on the recording and reproducing mechanism section internal circuit board  10  and which is turned on or off by vertical movement of the recording and reproducing mechanism section  100 .  
         [0071]      FIG. 4  shows a state in which the recording and reproducing mechanism section internal circuit board  10  is removed from the recording and reproducing mechanism section  100  in  FIG. 3 . The reference numeral  20  indicates a recording and reproducing mechanism main body serving as a base of the recording and reproducing mechanism section  100 , the reference numeral  21  indicates an optical pickup module which records information to and reproduces information from the optical disk, the reference numeral  22  indicates a spindle motor which serves as a power source for rotating the optical disk, the reference numeral  23  indicates a lead screw shaft which is threaded to move the optical pickup module  21  to inner and outer circumferential positions of the optical disk, the reference numeral  24  indicates a rack leaf spring which transmits power from the lead screw shaft  23  to the optical pickup module  21  and which holds the FPC incorporated into the optical pickup module  21 , the reference numeral  25  indicates a lead screw shaft gear fixed to the lead screw shaft  23 , the reference numeral  26  indicates a lead screw shaft pressing spring which presses the lead screw shaft  23  in an arbitrary direction, the reference numeral  27  indicates an intermediate gear having gears on both sides thereof and a circular shielding plate which is provided with a slit at its central portion, the reference numeral  28  indicates a feed motor serving as a power source which rotates the lead screw shaft  23 , the reference numeral  29  indicates a motor gear mounted to a rotating shaft of the feed motor  28 , the reference numeral  30  indicates a motor fixing member for holding the feed motor  28 , the reference numeral  31  indicates a photointerrupter for measuring the number of revolutions of the intermediate gear so as to measure the number of revolutions of the feed motor  28 , the reference numeral  32  indicates a recording and reproducing mechanism section vertical movement sensing lever for sensing the vertical movement of the recording and reproducing mechanism section  100  when an optical disk cartridge having the optical disk incorporated thereinto is attached to or detached from the optical disk drive of the present invention, the reference numeral  33  indicates a guide shaft which regulates and guides the movement of the optical pickup module  21  to inner and outer circumferential positions of the optical disk, the reference numeral  34  indicates a guide shaft fixing member for fixing the guide shaft  33  to the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  20 , the reference numeral  35  indicates metallic lateral guide members which regulate the vertical movement of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  20  and are mounted on both sides of the CF card standard mechanism section  101 , the reference numeral  36  indicates claw-shaped lateral mooring members which are mounted on both sides of the CF card standard mechanism section  101  and which moor the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  20  to the CF card standard mechanism section  101 , the reference numeral  37  indicates lateral mooring biasing springs for applying a biasing force in an arbitrary direction to the lateral mooring member  36  respectively, the reference numeral  38  indicates recording and reproducing mechanism main body lifting springs including a torsion spring which lift the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  20 , when the optical disk cartridge having the optical disk incorporated therein is attached to or detached from the optical disk drive, and the reference numeral  39  indicate slide buttons fixed to the lateral mooring members  36 .  
         [0072]     Next, the CF card standard mechanism section  101  having a connector and a main body corresponding to the CF card standard will be described with reference to  FIG. 5 . The reference numeral  50  indicates a CF card standard connector, and the reference numeral  51  indicates a CF card standard mechanism section frame, and the reference numeral  52  indicates a metallic top cover which covers a top surface of the CF card standard mechanism section frame  51 .  
         [0073]      FIG. 6  shows an internal structure of the CF card standard mechanism section in which the top cover  52  is removed from a perspective view of  FIG. 5  showing an appearance of the CF card standard mechanism section. In  FIG. 6 , the reference numeral  60  indicates an optical disk, the reference numeral  61  indicates an optical disc cartridge which accommodates the optical disk  60 , the reference numeral  62  indicates a cartridge shutter which is mounted on the optical disc cartridge  61 , and the reference numeral  63  indicates a CF card standard mechanism section circuit board.  FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing an internal structure of the optical disk cartridge  61 . The reference numeral  64  indicates a metallic ring which is fixed to the optical disk  60 , and the reference numeral  65  indicates a shutter mooring member which moors the cartridge shutter  62  in a portion X in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0074]      FIG. 8  shows an internal structure of the CF card standard mechanism section  101  in which the CF card standard mechanism section frame  51  is removed from the internal structural view of the CF card standard mechanism section in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0075]     The reference numeral  70  indicates a cartridge tray which holds the optical disk cartridge  61  when the optical disk cartridge  61  is inserted into the CF card standard mechanism section  101 , the reference numeral  71  indicates a cartridge ejection member for ejecting the optical disk cartridge  61  from the CF card standard mechanism section  101 , the reference numeral  72  indicates a cartridge ejection spring which serves as a power source which pushes out the cartridge ejection member  71 , the reference numeral  73  indicates a cartridge ejection shaft which transmits the power from the cartridge ejection spring  72  to the cartridge ejection member  71 , and the reference numeral  74  indicate a cartridge ejection member fixing spring.  
         [0076]      FIG. 9  shows a bottom surface of the CF card standard mechanism section  101 . The reference numeral  75  indicates a bottom cover which covers the bottom surface of the CF card standard mechanism section frame.  
         [0077]     Next, an operation method, an operation and conditions based on the CF card standard of the information reproducing device (optical disk drive) of the present invention will be described.  
         [0078]     First, when the optical disk cartridge  61  having the optical disk  60  accommodated therein is inserted into the CF card standard mechanism section  101 , as shown in  FIG. 10 , the lateral mooring biasing springs  37  applies a biasing force to the lateral mooring members  36  in a direction opposite to the direction that the lateral mooring member  36  is moved, to thereby move each slide button  39  toward the CF card standard connector  50 .  
         [0079]     In this case, the slide button  39  is moved toward (direction A) the CF card standard connector  50 . This operation of the slide button  39  prevents the CF card standard connector  50  from falling out of a portable apparatus such as a PDA in a state in which the information reproducing device of the present invention is connected to the portable apparatus.  
         [0080]     When the slide button  39  is operated in the direction A, convex portions (portions M) provided on both sides of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  20  comes out of the lateral mooring members  36 . Then, the recording and reproducing mechanism main body lifting springs  38  which are respectively mounted by two, i.e., a total sum of four, on the right and left sides of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  20  are opened in directions B and C, to thereby lift the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  20  in a direction D. In this case, in the present invention, the recording and reproducing mechanism main body lifting spring  38  may be a torsion spring or a compression spring.  
         [0081]     In this case, in the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  20 , bosses (portions M) provided on both sides of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  20  are regulated by grooves provided at the lateral guide members  35 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a raised position of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  20  is also restricted. In this case, lower portions of the bossed portions M which are provided on both sides of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  20  and which move in the grooves provided in the lateral guide members  35  becomes points of forces of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body lifting springs  38 . Thus, the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  20  can be efficiently and smoothly lifted in the vertical direction. Further, as shown in  FIG. 11 , since the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  20  is raised in the vertical direction, a bottom surface of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  20  is provided with the vertical guide members  3 , the CF card standard mechanism section frame  51  is formed with holes into which the vertical guide members  3  are respectively fitted. Thus, the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  20  is raised in the vertical direction. Here, it is necessary that the optical disk drive of the present invention has a card shape and the optical disk drive itself has enhanced rigidity. The lateral guide members  35  are made of a metallic material. Thus, the optical disk drive can have enhanced rigidity and a grounding function set to the CF card standard.  
         [0082]     As the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  20  is raised in the vertical direction, as shown in  FIG. 12 , an optical disk cartridge insertion slot appears at a front portion of the CF card standard mechanism section  101 . If an operator of the optical disk drive of the present invention inserts the optical disk cartridge  61  into the insertion slot, the inserted optical disk cartridge  61 , as shown in  FIG. 13 , is inserted into the optical disk drive along the cartridge tray  70  (direction E).  
         [0083]     Moreover, a bent portion Y provided in the cartridge tray  70  actuates the shutter mooring member  65  provided inside the optical disk cartridge  61 , thereby releasing the restraint on a portion Z of the cartridge shutter  62  which the shutter mooring member  65  engages. Then, the cartridge shutter  62  is actuated which results in a state in which the optical disk  60  can be viewed from the outside of the optical disk cartridge  61 .  
         [0084]     While the optical disk cartridge  61  is inserted into the cartridge tray  70 , as shown in  FIG. 14 , a rear portion of the optical disk cartridge  61  pushes down the cartridge ejection member  71  in a direction that the optical disk cartridge  61  is inserted.  
         [0085]     The cartridge ejection shaft  73  is attached to the cartridge ejection member  71 , and the cartridge ejection spring  72  is attached to the cartridge ejection shaft  73 . Thus, simultaneously when the cartridge ejection member  71  is pushed down, the cartridge ejection spring  72  is compressed.  
         [0086]     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the cartridge ejection member  71  is pushed down and fixed until an arrow-shaped portion at a tip of the cartridge ejection member fixing spring  74  which is fixed to the cartridge ejection member  71  engages the convex portion provided on the side of the CF card standard mechanism section frame  51 , as indicated by a portion P.  
         [0087]     When the operation of the optical disk cartridge  61  inserted into the CF card standard mechanism section  101  is completed, the operator of the optical disk drive of the present invention applies a pressing force to the metallic cover  2  toward the bottom surface thereof, thereby lowering the metallic cover  2  along the vertical guide member  3 , as shown in  FIG. 16 . When the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  20  is lowered, the two boss-shaped portions provided on the bottom surface of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  20  coincide with positioning holes of the optical disk cartridge, the optical disk cartridge  61  is positioned at a fixed position, the metallic ring  64  fixed to the optical disk  60  is attracted to a magnet attached to a tip of the spindle motor  22 , and the optical disk  60  is fixed to the tip of the spindle motor  22 . At this time, since the fixed metallic ring  64  is fixed to a surface of the optical disk  60  opposite to the surface where the spindle motor  22  exists with adhesive or the like, and the magnet attached to the spindle motor  22  does not directly attract the fixed metallic ring  64 , even if an adhesive for attaching the fixed metallic ring  64  deteriorates due to a change with the lapse of time, the magnet attached to the spindle motor  22  does not extract the metallic ring  64  attached to the optical disk  60 .  
         [0088]     When the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  20  is lowered, as shown in  FIG. 18 , a convex portion Q provided on the bottom surface of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  20  applies a pressing force to the cartridge ejection member fixing spring  74 , the cartridge ejection member fixing spring  74  is bent by the pressing force, an arrow-shaped portion of the convex portion Q comes out of the convex portion provided on the side of the CF card standard mechanism section frame  51 , and the cartridge ejection member  71  receives the pressing force through the cartridge ejection shaft  73  by energy accumulated by the compressed cartridge ejection spring  72 . As a result, the cartridge ejection member  71  which becomes free from its moored state applies a pressing force for ejecting the optical disk cartridge  61  thereto. Also, when the operator of the optical disk drive of the present invention operates the slide button  39  in order to remove the optical disk cartridge  61 , and the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  20  is raised, the optical disk cartridge  61  is ejected from the cartridge tray  70 .  
         [0089]     Simultaneously when the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  20  is lowered, as shown in  FIG. 19 , a lower end of the recording and reproducing mechanism section vertical movement sensing lever  32  having the motor fixing member  30  provided with a sliding shaft begins to contact the bottom cover  52 , and the recording and reproducing mechanism section vertical movement sensing lever  32  is actuated to rotate in a direction F. As a result, when the electronic switch  13  as shown in  FIG. 3  is actuated, and an electric current flows through the electronic switch  13 , the recording and reproducing mechanism section vertical movement sensing lever  32  senses that the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  20  has been completely lowered.  
         [0090]     When the recording and reproducing mechanism section vertical movement sensing lever  32  senses that the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  20  has been completely lowered, the optical pickup module  21  rotates the lead screw shaft  23  via the motor gear  29 , the intermediate gear  27  and the lead screw shaft gear  25 , as the feed motor  28  rotates. Then, the lead screw shaft pressing spring  26  pushed against the rotating lead screw shaft  23  transmits a rotational force to the optical pickup module  21 , and the optical pickup module  21  is actuated between the inner periphery and the outer periphery of the optical disk  60  along the guide shaft  33 . At this time, the photointerrupter  31  counts the circular shielding plate having a slit provided at a central position of the intermediate gear  27 , thereby counting the number of revolutions of the motor. That is, the traveling distance of the optical pickup module  21  is measured to control the operation of the optical pickup module  21 .  
         [0091]      FIG. 20  shows a top plan view of the CF card standard mechanism section  101 . As can be understood from  FIG. 20 , if the width of the optical disk cartridge  61  is approximate to that of the CF card standard mechanism section  101 , and if the central position of the CF card standard mechanism section  101  coincides with the central position of the optical disk cartridge  61 , it is difficult to construct the cartridge ejection member  71 , the cartridge ejection spring  72 , the cartridge ejection shaft  73 , and the cartridge ejection member fixing spring  74  in space left at both ends of the CF card standard mechanism section  101 . Thus, in the optical disk drive of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 20 , the central position of the optical disk cartridge  61  are shifted from the central position of the CF card standard mechanism section  101 , so that a space for installing the cartridge ejection member  71 , the cartridge ejection spring  72 , the cartridge ejection shaft  73 , and the cartridge ejection member fixing spring  74  are provided at one side.  
         [0092]     Moreover, the vertical guide member  3  which guides the vertical movement of the recording and reproducing mechanism section  100  is provided in the space provided at the one side, or as shown in  FIG. 21 , the inter-board FPC  12  which connects the recording and reproducing mechanism section internal circuit board with the CF card standard mechanism section circuit board  63  is attached to be bent so that the inter-board FPC  12  is actuated to follow the vertical movement of the recording and reproducing mechanism section  100 .  
         [0093]     Next, a structure corresponding to the thinnest card standard available on the market, i.e., CF Card Type 1 Standard will be described. In the CF card standard, the smallest standard value of the sectional height of the CF card standard mechanism section is 3.3 mm. In the present invention, the optical disk drive of the present invention is miniaturized, so that the optical disk cartridge  61  is disposed to fall within a standard value of 3.3 mm that is CF Card Type 1 Standard, as shown in  FIGS. 5, 6 ,  8  and  10 , so as not to deteriorate portability even when the optical disk drive is connected to a portable apparatus such as a PDA. In the present invention, the height dimension of the optical disk cartridge  61  is set to a total sum of 2 mm in which the dimension is allotted such that the bottom cover  75  is a sheet of 0.2 mm made of metal such as Stainless Steel, the cartridge tray  70  for holding the optical disk cartridge  61  is a sheet of 0.15 mm made of metal such as Stainless Steel, the CF card standard mechanism section circuit board  63  is set to 0.5 mm, and the remainder is set to 0.35 mm as inter-component clearance. Naturally, if the height dimension of the optical disk of the optical disk cartridge  61  can be made small, the height dimensions of other components can be increased, which makes it possible to increase the rigidity or the like of the recording and reproducing apparatus (optical disk drive) itself of the present invention can be enhanced.  
         [0094]     As a construction of the components, the top cover  52 , the optical disk cartridge  61 , the cartridge tray  70 , the CF card standard mechanism section circuit board  63 , and the bottom cover  63  are constructed in this order from the top surface of the CF card standard mechanism section  101  so that the internal space of the CF card standard mechanism section  101  can be efficiently utilized. Moreover, in order to miniaturize the optical disk drive of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 22 , an inclined portion R set to a shape standard of the CF card is disposed on the bottom surface of the spindle motor  22 . That is, the central position of the optical disk  60  is provided at the inclined portion set to the shape standard of the CF card, or provided as close to the inclined portion as possible, so that the position of the optical disk cartridge  61  can be shifted in a height range of 3.3 mm that is the CF Card Type 1 Standard.  
         [0095]     Generally, as the spindle motor, a peripheral opposite type motor is mounted on an optical disk drive which is commonly available on the market. However, in order to further decrease the height of the spindle motor, a motor which uses ceramic coils which are printed and laminated at high density which allows the width of lines to be decreased and the pitch between the lines to be narrowed is utilized, so that the height dimension of the spindle motor can be decreased, and the position of the optical disk cartridge can be shifted in a height range of 3.3 mm which is the CF Card Type 1 Standard. Thus, in the optical disk drive of the present invention, it is possible to improve the portability of the optical disk drive of the present invention because the lengthwise dimension can be further shortened.  
         [0096]     According to the present invention, while the connector unit is connected to other apparatus, the medium inserting unit can be opened or closed by raising or lowering the lifting unit. Thus, in a state in which the information reproducing device is connected to the other apparatus, the medium can be replaced. Also, since the operability is improved, the present invention can be adapted to an information reproducing device capable of reproducing at least information in which the device is can be connected to a portable terminal apparatus such as a portable information apparatus, a cellphone, a portable game machine and the like.  
       Second Embodiment  
       [0097]     An information reproducing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 23 and 24 .  FIG. 23  is a side perspective view of the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 24  is a back perspective view of the information reproducing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0098]     As shown in  FIG. 23 , the information reproducing device  501  has a card type mechanism section (main body)  601 , and a recording and reproducing mechanism section (lifting unit)  600  having its one axis fixed to the card type mechanism section  601  and which is provided so as to be freely raised or lowered. The recording and reproducing mechanism section  600  has a recording and reproducing device of an optical disk, which either records information on the optical disk or reproduces information from the optical disk. The card type mechanism section  601  has a connector corresponding to a certain card standard.  
         [0099]     The card type mechanism section  601  has a space for accommodating an optical disk cartridge having the optical disk accommodated therein, an electrical board having electronic components mounted thereon to process data read by an optical pickup, and a connector  650  which outputs data processed in the electrical board and which connects the information reproducing device  501  with a personal computer or a portable terminal apparatus, as shown in  FIG. 24 .  
         [0100]     Next, a structure of a recording and reproducing mechanism main body  520  in the recording and reproducing mechanism section  600  will be described with reference to  FIG. 25 .  FIG. 25  is a perspective view showing the structure of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  520 . The recording and reproducing mechanism main body  520  serving as a base of the recording and reproducing mechanism section  600  has an optical pickup module  521  which records information to and reproduces information from the optical disk, a spindle motor  522  which serves as a power source for rotating the optical disk, a lead screw shaft  523  which is threaded to move the optical pickup module  521  to inner and outer circumferential positions of the optical disk, a rack leaf spring  524  which transmits power from the lead screw shaft  523  to the optical pickup module  521  and which holds a flexible printed circuit (hereinafter, referred to as FPC) board which is incorporated into the optical pickup module  521 , a lead screw shaft gear  525  fixed to the lead screw shaft  523 , a lead screw shaft pressing spring  526  which presses the lead screw shaft  523  in an arbitrary direction, an intermediate gear  527  having gears on both sides thereof and a circular shielding plate which is provided with a slit at its central portion, a feed motor  528  serving as a power source which rotates the lead screw shaft  523 , a motor gear  529  mounted to a rotating shaft of the feed motor  528 , a motor fixing member  530  for holding the feed motor  528 , and a photointerupter  531  for measuring the number of revolutions of the intermediate gear so as to measure the number of revolutions of the feed motor  528 . Further, the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  520  has a recording and reproducing mechanism section vertical movement sensing lever  532  for sensing the vertical movement of the recording and reproducing mechanism section  600  when the optical disk cartridge having the optical disk incorporated therein is attached to or detached from the information reproducing device  501 , a guide shaft  533  for regulating or guiding the movement of the optical pickup module  521  to inner and outer circumferential positions of the optical disk, a guide shaft fixing member  534  for fixing the guide shaft  533  to the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  520 , metallic lateral guide members  535  mounted on both sides of the card type mechanism section  601 , claw-shaped lateral mooring members  536  which are mounted on both sides of the card type mechanism section  601  and which moor the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  520 , lateral mooring biasing springs  537  for applying biasing forces in arbitrary directions to the lateral mooring members  536  respectively, recording and reproducing mechanism main body lifting springs  538  including a torsional spring which lift the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  520 , when the optical disk cartridge having the optical disk incorporated therein is attached to or detached from the information reproducing device  501 , slide buttons  539  fixed to the lateral mooring members  536 , and lift regulating members  540  for regulating a raised position of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  520 .  
         [0101]     Next, a lifting mechanism of the recording and reproducing mechanism  600  when the optical disk cartridge having the optical disk accommodated therein is inserted into or ejected from the information reproducing device  501  while the information reproducing device  501  is connected to other terminal apparatuses will be described with reference to  FIGS. 26 and 27 .  FIG. 26  shows a state in which the recording and reproducing mechanism section  600  is raised or lowered.  FIG. 27  is a perspective view showing a state in which the recording and reproducing mechanism section  600  is raised.  
         [0102]     The information reproducing device  501  is connected to the terminal apparatus by the connector  650 . Here, when the optical disk cartridge  510  having the optical disk accommodated therein is inserted into the card type mechanism section  601 , as shown in  FIG. 26 , the slide buttons  539  fixed to the lateral mooring members  536  are moved in a direction (direction A′) of the connector  650 . In this case, the lateral mooring biasing springs  537  applies a biasing force to the lateral mooring members  536  in a direction opposite to the direction that the lateral mooring members are moved. If the slide buttons  539  is operated in the direction A, convex portions (portions M′) provided on both sides of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  520  comes out of the lateral mooring members  536 . If doing so, the recording and reproducing mechanism main body lifting springs  538  which are respectively mounted on both sides of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  520  are opened in a direction B′, and the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  520  is lifted in a direction D′ about an axis I of a boss-shaped portion (portion C′) as a fulcrum. At this time, boss-shaped portions provided on sides (portions N′) of the lift regulating members  540  which are mounted on both sides of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  520  are regulated by grooves provided in the lateral guide members  535 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 26 , a raised position of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  520  is regulated. When the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  520  is raised, as shown in  FIG. 27 , a front portion of the card type mechanism section  601 , that is, the inserting unit  602  of the optical disk cartridge  610  appears in a position opposite to the connector  650 . An operator of the information reproducing device  1  inserts the optical disk cartridge  610  in a direction E′ from the inserting unit  602 . The inserted optical disk cartridge  610  is inserted into the card type mechanism section  601 .  
         [0103]     When the optical disk cartridge  610  is completely inserted into the card type mechanism section  601 , the operator of the information reproducing device  501  lowers the recording and reproducing mechanism section  600  by pressing the recording and reproducing mechanism section  600  in a direction F′. The convex portions (portions M′) are moored in the lateral mooring members  536 , and the recording and reproducing mechanism section  600  is moored in the card type mechanism section  601 . Then, the information reproducing device  501  becomes an operable state.  
         [0104]     Further, when the optical disk cartridge  610  having the optical disk accommodated therein is ejected from the card type mechanism section  601 , the same operation also is performed. As a result, the optical disk cartridge  610  having the optical disk accommodated therein can be ejected from the card type mechanism section  601 .  
         [0105]     As described above, the inserting unit  602  of the optical disk cartridge  610  is provided in a direction opposite to the connector  650  and the position of the fulcrum where the recording and reproducing mechanism section  600  is opened or closed is set to an axis. Thus, the optical disk cartridge  610  can be inserted and ejected in the direction opposite to the connector  650  of the card type mechanism section  601 . Accordingly, while the information reproducing device  501  is connected to the terminal apparatus, the optical disk cartridge  610  can be inserted or ejected. As a result, operability of inserting or ejecting the optical disk cartridge  610  can be improved.  
         [0106]     Here, modifications of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.  28  to  31 .  FIG. 28  shows a first modification of the embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 29  shows a state in which the optical disk cartridge is inserted, in the first modification of the embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 30 and 31  show second and third modifications of the embodiment of the present invention, respectively.  
         [0107]     According to the first modification of the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 28 , an information reproducing device  502  is connected to a portable terminal apparatus  599  such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) or the like via the connector  650 . In a state in which an operator of the information reproducing device  502  holds the portable terminal apparatus  599  with his/her hands, when the optical disk cartridge  610  is inserted into or ejected from the card type mechanism section  601 , as shown in  FIG. 29 , the position of the fulcrum where the recording and reproducing mechanism section  600  is opened or closed is set to an axis J′. Accordingly, the optical disk cartridge  610  can be inserted or ejected in a direction of the connector  550  of the card type mechanism section  601 . As such, while the information reproducing device  502  is connected to the portable terminal apparatus  599 , the optical disk cartridge  610  can be inserted or ejected. As a result, the operability of inserting or ejecting the optical disk cartridge  610  can be improved.  
         [0108]     Further, there is a case in which it is difficult for the optical disk cartridge  610  to be inserted from the same direction as the direction connected to the portable terminal apparatus  599  due to a positional limitation of a switch or the like provided in the portable terminal apparatus  599 . In this case, the information reproducing device  501  according to the embodiment of the present invention may be constructed like an information reproducing device  503  of the second modification. According to the second modification, the position of the fulcrum where the recording and reproducing mechanism section  600  is opened or closed is set to an axis K′, as shown in  FIG. 30 . Thus, the optical disk cartridge  510  is inserted or ejected from the right with respect to the direction that the connector  650  of the card type mechanism section  601  is connected.  
         [0109]     Further, the information reproducing device  501  according to the embodiment of the present invention may be constructed like an information reproducing device  504  of the third modification. According to the third modification, as shown in  FIG. 31 , the position of the fulcrum where the recording and reproducing mechanism section  600  is opened or closed is set to an axis L′. Thus, the optical disk cartridge  610  is inserted or ejected from the left with respect to the direction that the connector  550  of the card type mechanism section  601  is connected.  
         [0110]     As such, while the information reproducing device  503  or  504  is connected to the portable terminal apparatus  599 , the optical disk cartridge  610  can be inserted or ejected. Thus, the operability of inserting or ejecting the optical disk cartridge  610  can be improved.  
         [0111]     Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 32 .  FIG. 32  is a perspective view showing a structure of a recording and reproducing mechanism main body  720  of an information reproducing device  505  according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0112]     The information reproducing device  505  according to another embodiment of the present invention has a recording and reproducing mechanism section  700  and a card type mechanism section  701 . The structure of the card type mechanism section  701  and the structure of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  720  are the same as those in the information reproducing device  501  according to the above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention, respectively. Thus, the same elements are represented by the same reference numerals, and the descriptions thereof will be omitted.  
         [0113]     Next, a lifting mechanism of the recording and reproducing mechanism section  700  when the optical disk cartridge  610  having the optical disk accommodated therein is inserted into or ejected from the information reproducing device  505  according to another embodiment of the present invention while the information reproducing device  505  is connected to a terminal apparatus will be described with reference to  FIGS. 35 and 37 .  FIG. 33  shows a state in which the recording and reproducing mechanism section  700  is raised or lowered.  FIG. 34  is a perspective view showing a state in which the recording and reproducing mechanism section  700  is raised.  
         [0114]     The information reproducing device  505  is connected to the terminal apparatus by means of the connector  650 . Here, when the optical disk cartridge  610  having the optical disk accommodated therein is inserted into the card type mechanism section  701 , as shown in  FIG. 33 , the slide buttons  539  (not shown) fixed to the lateral mooring members  536  are moved in a direction (direction A′A′) the connector  650 . At this time, the lateral mooring biasing springs  537  applies a biasing force to the lateral mooring members  536  from the direction opposite to the direction that the lateral mooring members are moved. When the slide buttons  539  are operated in the direction A′A′, convex portions (portions M′M′) provided on both sides of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  720  comes out of the lateral mooring members  536 . If doing so, the recording and reproducing mechanism main body lifting springs  538  which are respectively mounted by two on both sides of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  720  are opened in directions B′B′ and C′C′ respectively, to thereby lift the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  720  perpendicularly in a direction D′D′. At this time, boss-shaped portions (portions N′N′) provided on both sides of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  720  are regulated by grooves provided in the lateral guide members  535 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 33 , a raised position of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  720  is regulated. Then, when the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  720  is raised, as shown in  FIG. 34 , a front portion of the card type mechanism section  701 , that is, the inserting unit  702  of the optical disk cartridge  610  appears in a position opposite to the connector  650 . An operator of the information reproducing device  505  inserts the optical disk cartridge  610  (not shown) in a direction EE into the inserting unit  702 . The inserted optical disk cartridge  610  is inserted into the card type mechanism section  701 .  
         [0115]     When the optical disk cartridge  610  is completely inserted into the card type mechanism section  701 , the operator of the information reproducing device  505  lowers the recording and reproducing mechanism section  700  by pressing the recording and reproducing mechanism section  700  in a direction F′F′. The convex portions (portions M′M′) shown in  FIG. 33  are moored in the lateral mooring members  536 , and the recording and reproducing mechanism section  700  is moored in the card type mechanism section  701 . Then, the information reproducing device  505  becomes an operable state.  
         [0116]     Further, when the optical disk cartridge  610  having the optical disk accommodated therein is ejected from the card type mechanism section  701 , the same operation is performed. As a result, the optical disk cartridge  610  having the optical disk accommodated therein can be ejected from the card type mechanism section  701 .  
         [0117]     As such, the inserting unit  702  of the optical disk cartridge  610  is provided in a direction opposite to the connector  650  and the recording and reproducing mechanism section  700  can be lowered and raised perpendicularly. Thus, the optical disk cartridge  610  can be inserted and ejected in the direction opposite to the connector  650  of the card type mechanism section  701 . Accordingly, while the information reproducing device  505  is connected to the terminal apparatus, the optical disk cartridge  610  can be inserted or ejected. As a result, the operability of inserting or ejecting the optical disk cartridge  610  can be improved.  
         [0118]     Here, modifications of another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.  35  to  36 .  FIG. 35  shows a first modification of another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 36  shows a second modification of another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0119]     According to the first modification of another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 35 , an information reproducing device  506  is connected to the portable terminal apparatus  599  via the connector  650 . In a state in which an operator of the information reproducing device  506  holds the portable terminal apparatus  599  with his/her hands, when the optical disk cartridge  610  is inserted into or ejected from the card type mechanism section  701 , as shown in  FIG. 35 , the inserting unit  702  of the optical disk cartridge  610  is provided on the right with respect to the direction that the connector  650  is connected. Thus, the optical disk cartridge  610  can be inserted or ejected from the right with respect to the direction that the connector  650  of the card type mechanism section  701  is connected.  
         [0120]     Further, according to the second modification of another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 36 , an information reproducing device  507  has the inserting unit  702  of the optical disk cartridge  610  which is provided on the left with respect to the direction that the connector  650  is connected. Thus, the optical disk cartridge  610  can be inserted or ejected from the left with respect to the direction that the connector  650  of the card type mechanism section  701  is connected.  
         [0121]     As described, while the information reproducing device  506  or  507  is connected to the portable terminal apparatus  599 , the optical disk cartridge  610  can be inserted or ejected. Thus, the operability of inserting or ejecting the optical disk cartridge  610  can be improved.  
         [0122]     According to the present invention, while the connector unit is connected to the terminal apparatus, the medium inserting unit can be opened or closed by raising or lowering the lifting unit. Thus, the present invention can be adapted to the information reproducing device capable of reproducing at least information in which the device can be connected to a portable terminal apparatus such as a portable information apparatus, a cellphone, a portable game machine and the like, and a personal computer.  
       Third Embodiment  
       [0123]     Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0124]     As shown in  FIG. 37 , an information reproducing device according to the present embodiment generally comprises a recording and reproducing mechanism section  1100  having a recording and reproducing device member (which either records information on an optical disk or reproduces information from the optical disk) of the optical disk, and a connector section  1101  corresponding to a shape of a semiconductor memory.  
         [0125]     First, the recording and reproducing mechanism section  1100  will be described with reference to  FIG. 38 . As shown in  FIG. 38 , the reference numerals  1001  and  1002  indicate covers which cover the recording and reproducing mechanism section  1100 , respectively. The cover  1002  constitutes sidewalls, and the cover  1001  constitutes a top surface. That is, the recording and reproducing mechanism section  1100  is covered with the covers  1001  and  1002 . The covers  1001  and  1002  may be made of either the same material or materials different from each other. In the best mode, the cover is made of a resinous material and the cover  1001  is made of a metallic material, so that effects such as an improved heat dissipating property and electronic noise leakage prevention of the recording and reproducing mechanism section  1100  can be obtained. Naturally, materials for the covers  1001  and  1002  can be appropriately selected to solve a heat problem, a noise problem, and a problem of mechanical rigidity.  
         [0126]     The reference numeral  1003  indicates a vertical guide member made of a material, such as metal, for lifting the recording and reproducing mechanism section  1100  in a vertical direction.  
         [0127]      FIG. 39  shows a state in which the covers  1001  and  1002  are removed from the recording and reproducing mechanism section  1100 . In  FIG. 39 , the reference numeral  1010  indicate a recording and reproducing mechanism section internal circuit board which is provided within the recording and reproducing mechanism section  1100 , the reference numeral  1011  indicates a flexible printed circuit (hereinafter, referred to as FPC) for an optical pickup signal which transmits and receives a signal read from the optical disk, the reference numeral  1012  indicate an inter-board FPC which transmits a signal to or receives a signal from a circuit board within an SD standard mechanism section, and the reference numeral  1013  indicate an electronic switch which is mounted on the recording and reproducing mechanism section internal circuit board  1010  and which is turned on or off by vertical movement of the recording and reproducing mechanism section  1100 .  
         [0128]      FIG. 40  shows a state in which the recording and reproducing mechanism section internal circuit board  1010  is removed from the recording and reproducing mechanism section  1100  in  FIG. 39 . The reference numeral  1020  indicates a recording and reproducing mechanism main body serving as a base of the recording and reproducing mechanism section  1100 , the reference numeral  1021  indicates an optical pickup module which records information to and reproduces information from the optical disk, the reference numeral  1022  indicates a spindle motor which serves as a power source for rotating the optical disk, the reference numeral  1023  indicates a lead screw shaft which is threaded to move the optical pickup module  1021  to inner and outer circumferential positions of the optical disk, the reference numeral  1024  indicates a rack leaf spring which transmits power from the lead screw shaft  1023  to the optical pickup module  1021  and which holds the FPC incorporated into the optical pickup module  1021 , the reference numeral  1025  indicates a lead screw shaft gear fixed to the lead screw shaft  1023 , the reference numeral  1026  indicates a lead screw shaft pressing spring which presses the lead screw shaft  1023  in an arbitrary direction, the reference numeral  1027  indicates an intermediate gear having gears on both sides thereof and a circular shielding plate which is provided with a slit at its central portion, the reference numeral  1028  indicates a feed motor serving as a power source which rotates the lead screw shaft  1023 , the reference numeral  1029  indicates a motor gear mounted to a rotating shaft of the feed motor  1028 , the reference numeral  1030  indicates a motor fixing member for holding the feed motor  1028 , the reference numeral  1031  indicates a photointerrupter for measuring the number of revolutions of the intermediate gear so as to measure the number of revolutions of the feed motor  1028 , the reference numeral  1032  indicates a recording and reproducing mechanism section vertical movement sensing lever for sensing the vertical movement of the recording and reproducing mechanism section  1100  when an optical disk cartridge having the optical disk incorporated thereinto is attached to or detached from the optical disk drive of the present invention, the reference numeral  1033  indicates a guide shaft which regulates and guides the movement of the optical pickup module  1021  to inner and outer circumferential positions of the optical disk, the reference numeral  1034  indicates a guide shaft fixing member for fixing the guide shaft  1033  to the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  1020 , the reference numeral  1035  indicates metallic lateral guide members which regulate the vertical movement of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  1020  and are mounted on both sides, the reference numeral  1036  indicates claw-shaped lateral mooring members which are mounted on both sides and which moor the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  1020 , the reference numeral  1037  indicates lateral mooring biasing springs for applying a biasing force in an arbitrary direction to the lateral mooring member  1036  respectively, the reference numeral  1038  indicates recording and reproducing mechanism main body lifting springs including a torsion spring which lift the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  1020 , when the optical disk cartridge having the optical disk incorporated therein is attached to or detached from the optical disk drive of the present invention, and the reference numeral  1039  indicate slide buttons fixed to the lateral mooring members  1036 .  
         [0129]      FIG. 41  is a perspective view as the connector section  1101  corresponding to a shape of a semiconductor memory is viewed from the top surface thereof. The reference numeral  1050  indicates a connector unit corresponding to a shape of a semiconductor memory. A board  1052  which has a function to convert a signal from the optical disk into an interface of the semiconductor memory is covered with a resin  1052  from the top, and a main body is reinforced with a metal sheet from the top of the resin  1051 .  
         [0130]      FIG. 42  is a perspective view as the connector unit  1050  is viewed from the bottom surface thereof. The board  1052  has connecting contacts  1053  at its tip. The board  1052  is sandwiched between the resin  1051  from a top surface thereof and a resin  1054  from a bottom surface thereof, and a bottom surface of the resin  1054  is covered with a metal sheet  1055 .  
         [0131]     In the case of a connector corresponding to the SD standard as one of the embodiments, the size of the connector unit  1050  is 24 mm×32 mm×2.1 mm. As previously mentioned, the connector unit  1050  is sandwiched between the resins, and the resin is interposed between thin metals so as to maintain the rigidity of a portion joined to the main body.  
         [0132]      FIG. 46  shows a construction of a top surface of the board  1052 . In  FIG. 46 , the reference numeral  1056  indicate a semiconductor chip for adjusting a connection between an interface standard of the board  1052  and an interface standard of the a connector unit  1050 . In the embodiment of the present invention, the semiconductor chip  1056  is configured to be capable of adjusting a connection between the interface standard of the board  1052  and the SD standard of the a connector unit  1050 . Also, in other embodiment, the construction of the semiconductor chip  1056  is changed according to a standard. Thus, even if the connector shape of the connector unit  1050  is changed to USB Standard, IEEE394 Standard, a parallel standard, a serial standard and the like, the connector unit can be connected to the board  1052 .  
         [0133]      FIG. 43  shows an internal structure of the optical disk cartridge  1061 . The reference numeral  1064  indicates a metallic ring which is fixed to the optical disk  1060 , and the reference numeral  1065  indicates a shutter mooring member which moors the cartridge shutter  1062 .  
         [0134]     Next, an operation method and an operation of the information reproducing device (optical disk drive) of the present invention will be described.  
         [0135]     First, when the optical disk cartridge  1061  having the optical disk  1060  accommodated therein is inserted into the base, as shown in  FIG. 44 , the lateral mooring biasing springs  1037  apply a biasing force to the lateral mooring members  1036  in a direction opposite to the direction that the lateral mooring members  1036  are moved, to thereby move the slide buttons  1039  fixed to the lateral mooring members  1036  toward the a connector unit  1050 .  
         [0136]     In this case, the slide buttons  1039  are moved toward (direction A″) the connector unit  1050 . This operation of the slide buttons  1039  prevent the SD standard connector unit  1050  from falling out of a portable apparatus in a state in which the information reproducing device (optical disc drive) of the present invention is connected to the portable apparatus such as a PDA.  
         [0137]     When the slide buttons  1039  are operated toward the connector unit  1050  in the direction A″, convex portions provided on both sides (portions M″) of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  1020  comes out of the lateral mooring members  1036 . Then, the recording and reproducing mechanism main body lifting springs  1038  which are respectively mounted by two, i.e., a total sum of four, on the right and left sides of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  1020  are opened in directions B″ and C″, to thereby lift the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  1020  in a direction D″. In this case, in the present invention, the recording and reproducing mechanism main body lifting springs  1038  may be a torsion spring or a compression spring.  
         [0138]     In this case, in the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  1020 , boss-shaped portions (portions N″) provided on both sides of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  1020  are regulated by grooves provided at the lateral guide members  1035 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 40 , a raised position of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  1020  is also regulated. In this case, lower portions of the bossed portions N″ which are provided on both sides of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  1020  and which move in the grooves provided in the lateral guide members  1035  become points of forces of the recording and reproducing mechanism main body lifting springs  1038 . Thus, the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  1020  can be efficiently and smoothly lifted in the vertical direction.  
         [0139]     As the recording and reproducing mechanism main body  1020  is raised in the vertical direction, as shown in  FIG. 45 , an optical disk cartridge insertion slot  1102  appears at a front portion of the connector section  1101 . If an operator of the optical disk drive of the present invention inserts the optical disk cartridge  1061  into the insertion slot  1102 , the inserted optical disk cartridge  1061  is inserted into the optical disk drive along the cartridge tray. Thereafter, when the operator pushes down with his/her hands in a direction E″, the optical disk is chucked and information is read from the optical disk.  
         [0140]     According to the present invention, the present invention can be adapted to an information reproducing device capable of reproducing at least information in which the device can be connected to a portable terminal apparatus such as a portable information apparatus, a cellphone, a portable game machine and the like.  
         [0141]     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-003869 filed on Apr. 01, 2009 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-190629 filed on Apr. 06, 1929 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-193666 filed on Apr. 06, 1930, the contents of which are incorporated herein by references in its entirety.