Optical information recording/reproducing apparatus and method for using both disc cartridges holding 8CM and 12CM disc

An optical recording/reproducing apparatus capable of using disc cartridges of at least two different sizes and/or a naked disc, on only one tray. The optical recording/reproducing apparatus is also capable of recording and/or reproducing information on/from one of the discs mounted on the tray by automatically detecting the disc cartridges and/or the naked disc positioned on the tray. The optical recording/reproducing apparatus has a case, a tray mounted to the case capable of being received and withdrawn into/from the case, and selectively accommodating disc cartridges of at least two different sizes, a support to support the disc cartridges positioned on the tray according to the size of the disc cartridges, a detection unit to detect the sizes of the disc cartridges positioned on the tray and the state of the discs accommodated in the disc cartridges, a rotating unit to rotate the discs in the disc cartridges positioned on the tray, and a recording/reproducing unit to record information on and/or reproduce the information from the discs rotated by the rotating unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
 This application claims the benefit of Korean Application Nos. 97-72622,
 filed Dec. 23, 1997; 98-14877, filed Apr. 25, 1998; and 98-18685, filed
 May 23, 1998, in the Korean Patent Office, the disclosures of which are
 incorporated herein by reference.
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 1. Field of the Invention
 The present invention relates to an optical recording/reproducing optical
 apparatus and method thereof, capable of using disc cartridges of
 difference sizes, i.e., one of which holds a disc having a diameter of 12
 cm, and another one which holds a disc having a diameter of 8 cm, by
 positioning the disc cartridges on one tray.
 2. Description of the Related Art
 Generally, there are two kinds of disc cartridges for accommodating discs
 of different sizes, i.e., one which holds a disc having a diameter of 12
 cm (hereinafter called a 12 cm disc cartridge), and another one which
 holds a disc having a diameter of 8 cm (hereinafter called a 8 cm disc
 cartridge or a smaller cartridge). Such disc cartridges have an
 accommodating hole through which a turn table, and a chucking clamp of an
 optical recording/reproducing apparatus are advanced. The accommodating
 hole communicates with an opening which serves as a feeding passage to an
 optical pickup device. A shutter is mounted on each disc cartridge to
 open/close both the accommodating hole and the opening.
 The optical recording/reproducing apparatus has means for rotating the disc
 at a speed that the information can be recorded/reproduced
 thereon/therefrom, an optical pickup device moved in a radial direction of
 the rotating disc while radiating a laser beam on the disc, and a signal
 processing section for processing the information detected by the laser
 beam radiated from the optical pickup device.
 Thus, when the disc cartridge is advanced in the optical
 recording/reproducing apparatus, the shutter of the disc cartridge is
 moved in a direction so that the shutter exposes the accommodating hole
 and the opening of the disc cartridge. Then, the turn table and the
 chucking clamp are advanced through the accommodating hole to position and
 chuck the disc. Continuously, the optical pickup device is linearly and
 reciprocally moved in a radial direction of the disc (mounted in the disc
 cartridge) along the opening while recording/reproducing the information
 on/from the disc.
 However, since the conventional optical recording/reproducing apparatus is
 capable of using only one kind of disc cartridge, there is a problem in
 compatibility, i.e., both of the 12 cm and 8 cm discs cannot be used
 therein.
 Further, if both 12 cm and 8 cm discs are to be used, respective optical
 recording/reproducing apparatuses for the respective disc cartridges have
 to be provided, and as a result, the cost accordingly increases.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 The present invention has been made to overcome the above-described
 problems, and accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
 provide an optical recording/reproducing apparatus capable of using a 12
 cm disc cartridge, a smaller disc cartridge, i.e., an 8 cm disc cartridge
 and/or an adapter by selectively positioning the same on only one tray.
 Another object of the present invention is to provide an optical
 recording/reproducing apparatus capable of using an adapter for
 accommodating an 8 cm disc and a naked disc as well as a 12 cm disc
 cartridge and an 8 cm disc cartridge by selectively positioning the same
 on only one tray.
 Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of an
 optical recording/reproducing apparatus for automatically detecting which
 of disc cartridges, an adapter, and a naked disc (without a disc
 cartridge) is positioned on the tray at a given time, and automatically
 performing information recording and reproducing processes according to
 the detected result.
 Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in
 part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from
 the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
 The above objects of the present invention will be accomplished by
 providing an optical recording/reproducing apparatus including a case, a
 tray mounted to the case and capable of being received and withdrawn
 into/from the case, and selectively accommodating disc cartridges of at
 least two different sizes, means for supporting the disc cartridges
 positioned on the tray according to the sizes of the disc cartridges,
 means for detecting the sizes of the disc cartridges positioned on the
 tray and a state of discs accommodated in the disc cartridges, means for
 rotating the discs in the disc cartridges positioned on the tray, and
 means for recording and/or reproducing information on and/or from the disc
 rotated by the rotating means.
 The optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to the present
 invention further includes means for opening/closing shutters mounted on
 the disc cartridges in response to the receiving/withdrawing of the tray
 with respect to the case, and means for pressing hubs of the respective
 discs accommodated in the disc cartridges, thus chucking the discs onto
 the rotational means.
 The support means includes a press member contacting with, and thus,
 pressing a side of either a 12 cm disc cartridge and a smaller disc
 cartridge positioned on the tray, a holding member mechanism for holding
 both sides of the smaller disc cartridge, thus preventing a minute
 movement of the smaller disc cartridge positioned on the tray, and a
 horizontality member mechanism maintaining a horizontal orientation of the
 smaller disc cartridge with respect to a bottom of the tray.
 The detecting section includes a first detecting part detecting the size of
 the 12 cm disc cartridge and the state of a disc accommodated therein, and
 a second detecting part detecting the size of the smaller disc cartridge
 and the state of a disc accommodated therein.
 The first detecting part includes a plurality of first detecting holes
 formed on the tray corresponding to sensor holes of the 12 cm disc
 cartridge, and sense switches attached to a deck base, to be inserted into
 the sensor holes of the 12 cm disc cartridge through the first detecting
 holes.
 The second detecting part includes at least one leaf switch attached to the
 deck base, exposed through guide grooves of the tray, the leaf switch
 detecting the size of the smaller disc cartridge positioned on the tray,
 by being selectively in contact with contact portions of press rods which
 are moved along guide apertures and thus turned on/off, a plurality of
 second detecting holes formed on the tray corresponding to sensor holes of
 the smaller disc cartridge, and a photo-sensor attached to the deck base,
 detecting the state of the disc accommodated in the smaller disc cartridge
 by radiating a laser beam through the second detecting holes to the sensor
 holes of the smaller disc cartridge, and receiving the laser beam. The
 photo-sensor includes a light emitting element radiating the laser beam to
 a diffusion lens inserted into a fitting hole of an opening cover through
 a second detecting hole of the tray and a pierce hole of a smaller disc
 cartridge case, a plurality of light receiving elements disposed at
 positions corresponding to the sensor holes of the smaller disc cartridge,
 the light receiving elements receiving the laser beams transmitted to the
 sensor holes of the smaller disc cartridge via the diffusion lens, and a
 circuit board electrically detecting the laser beams received by the light
 receiving elements. Here, the light emitting element with the light
 receiving element are attached to, thus supported by the circuit board.
 The optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to the preferred
 embodiment of the present invention includes a case, a tray mounted to the
 case capable of being received and withdrawn into/from the case, and
 selectively accommodating disc cartridges of at least two different sizes,
 means for supporting the disc cartridges positioned on the tray according
 to the sizes of the disc cartridges, first positioning means for
 determining the position of the 12 cm disc cartridge on the tray and
 positioning the 12 cm disc cartridge at the determined position, a first
 detecting part detecting a size of the 12 cm disc cartridge positioned by
 the first positioning means, and the state of the 12 cm disc accommodated
 in the 12 cm disc cartridge, second positioning means for determining the
 position of the smaller disc cartridge on the tray and positioning the
 smaller disc cartridge at the determined position, a second detecting part
 detecting a size of the smaller disc cartridge positioned by the second
 positioning means, and the state of the 8 cm disc accommodated in the
 smaller disc cartridge, means for rotating the discs respectively
 accommodated in the disc cartridges positioned on the tray, and means for
 recording and/or reproducing the information on/from the discs rotated by
 the rotating means.
 The first positioning means includes a pair of first positioning pin holes
 formed on the tray corresponding to insert holes of the 12 cm disc
 cartridge, and a pair of first positioning pins disposed on a deck base
 and to be inserted into the insert holes of the 12 cm disc cartridge after
 passing through the first positioning pin holes.
 The second positioning means includes a pair of second positioning pin
 holes formed on the tray corresponding to insert holes of the smaller disc
 cartridge, a rotational bracket mounted to the case by a hinge pin, the
 rotational bracket having a pair of second positioning pins to be inserted
 into the insert holes of the smaller disc cartridge after passing through
 the second positioning pin holes, and means for rotating the rotational
 bracket upward and downward, wherein the rotating means is automatically
 operated through signals sensed by the second detecting part to move a
 rotational bracket. The rotational bracket rotating means includes a
 slider to be reciprocally moved along guide protrusions protruded from the
 bottom of the case in a linear direction; a driving motor, driving means
 for driving the slider, to be turned on/off in accordance with a signal
 sensed by the second detecting part, and a power transmitter transmitting
 a driving power from the driving motor to the slider.
 A method of optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to the
 preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of (a)
 detecting whether a disc cartridge received in a tray is positioned, (b)
 moving recording/reproducing means to an initial position, (c) detecting a
 size of the disc cartridge positioned on the tray, (d) detecting whether a
 disc accommodated in the disc cartridge is a single-sided disc or a
 double-sided disc, (e) detecting whether the disc is formatted, (f)
 displaying the size of the disc cartridge, whether the disc is a
 single-sided disc or a double-sided disc, and whether the disc is
 formatted as the sensed results of the above steps (a), (c), (d), and (e),
 (g) detecting whether a recording surface of the disc is sensed, (h)
 detecting whether information is to be recorded on the disc or reproduced
 from the disc, and (i) recording and/or reproducing the information on
 and/or from the disc according to the sensed results.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
 Reference will now made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of
 the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the
 accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like
 elements throughout. The embodiments are described below in order to
 explain the present invention by referring to the figures.
 FIGS. 1 to 3 show an optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to
 an embodiment of the present invention. In these figures, a reference
 numeral 10 is a case, and 20 is a tray. The tray 20 is mounted to the case
 10 and is capable of being received/withdrawn into/from the case 10. One
 of different kinds of disc cartridges having different sizes, i.e., either
 a disc cartridge 200 for accommodating a disc having a diameter of 12 cm
 (hereinafter called a 12 cm disc cartridge), or a smaller disc cartridge
 210 (hereinafter sometimes called an 8 cm disc cartridge) for
 accommodating a disc having a diameter of 8 cm is selectively positioned
 on the tray 20. Support means is provided to the tray 20 to support the
 disc cartridges 200 and 210 in accordance with the sizes of the disc
 cartridges 200 and 210 so that the disc cartridges 200 and 210 are
 prevented from moving while selectively positioned on the tray 20.
 Further, the optical recording/reproducing apparatus of the present
 invention includes a detecting section for detecting the size of the 12 cm
 and smaller disc cartridges 200 and 210, and the states of discs d and d'
 accommodated therein, respectively, means for rotating the discs d and d'
 (see FIGS. 7, 8, 10, 12, and 13) accommodated in the 12 cm and smaller
 disc cartridges positioned on the tray 20, and means for
 recording/reproducing information on/from the discs d and d' rotated by
 the rotating means. The optical recording/reproducing apparatus of the
 present invention further includes means for opening/closing shutters 202
 and 220 (see FIGS. 4, 6, and 9) respectively mounted on the 12 cm and
 smaller disc cartridges 200 and 210 in response to the
 receiving/withdrawing of the tray into/from the case 10, and means for
 pressing hubs of the discs d and d' accommodated in the respective disc
 cartridges 200 and 210 so as to chuck the discs d and d' onto the rotating
 means.
 Hereinafter, a construction of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus
 according to the present invention will be described in greater detail
 with reference to FIGS. 4 to 13.
 FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a smaller disc cartridge 210
 positioned on the tray 210 of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus
 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an
 enlarged sectional view of the smaller disc cartridge 210 shown in FIG. 4.
 As shown, the smaller disc cartridge 210 has a cartridge case 212, and an
 opening cover 214. An accommodating hole 212a with an opening 212b are
 formed extending through an upper and a lower side of the cartridge case
 212. The opening cover 214 is pivotally coupled to the cartridge case 212
 and prevents a separation of the disc d' (not shown in the drawing) from
 the smaller disc cartridge 210.
 A piercing hole 212c and a plurality of second sensor holes 212d are formed
 at a rear corner area of the cartridge case 212. Additionally, fitting
 holes 214a corresponding to the piercing hole 212c and the second sensor
 holes 212d are formed on the opening cover 214.
 The second sensor holes 212d may include a hole for detecting whether the
 disc d' accommodated in the cartridge case 212 has been exchanged
 (withdrawn from the cartridge case 212), a hole for detecting whether the
 disc d' is a single-sided disc or a double-sided disc, and a hole for
 detecting whether the disc d' is formatted, for example.
 A diffusion lens 216 of a transparent material is disposed at the fitting
 holes 214a of the opening cover 214. The diffusion lens 216 has insert
 portions 216a respectively inserted into the fitting holes 214a, and
 connectors 216b for connecting respective insert portions 216a. A light
 receiving plate 218 is disposed at each of second sensor holes 212d of the
 cartridge case 212, to open/close the second sensor holes 212d at a user's
 will. The light receiving plate 218 is manually operated.
 The 12 cm disc cartridge has an accommodating hole 200a with an opening
 200b formed extending through an upper and lower side of the 12 cm disc
 cartridge 200 (see FIG. 6) and will be described in greater detail later
 on.
 Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the tray 20 has a center hole 20a,
 and a feeding hole 20b at a bottom thereof. The center hole 20a is aligned
 with the accommodating holes 200a and 212a and the feeding hole 20b is
 aligned with the openings 200b and 212b of the 12 cm and smaller disc
 cartridges 200 and 210. The feeding hole 20b communicates with the center
 hole 20a. The feeding hole 20b is the space where a pickup base 96 moves
 and the center hole 20a is the space in which a turn table 92 is inserted.
 Also, the accommodating holes 200a, 212a are for the turn table 92 and the
 openings 200b, 212b are for the pickup base 96. Due to the presence of the
 center hole 20a and the feeding hole 20b, the discs d and d' are exposed
 to the recording/reproducing means when the shutters 202 and 220 of the
 respective disc cartridges 200 and 210 are opened by shutter
 opening/closing means. It is preferable that the accommodating hole 212a
 and the opening 212b of the smaller disc cartridge 210 have the same
 diameter and width with those of the accommodating hole 200a and the
 opening 200b of the 12 cm disc cartridge 200.
 In addition, a guide part 22 is provided at an end of the feeding hole 20b
 of the tray 20, having a predetermined height. A pair of guide apertures
 20c and 20k are respectively formed at both sides of the guide part 22.
 A plurality of first and second detecting holes 20d and 20e are formed at a
 comer area of the tray 20 and first and second positioning pin holes 20f
 and 20g each are formed at both corner areas of the tray 20. A pair of
 rectangular coupling holes 20i having guide rails 20h are formed between
 the first and the second positioning pin holes 20f and 20g and the guide
 apertures 20c and 20k. Adjacent to the coupling holes 20i, a pair of
 penetrating holes 20j are formed.
 The guide part 22 is provided with a press member 24. The press member 24
 contacts and presses a side of both the 12 cm and smaller disc cartridges
 200 and 210 positioned on the tray 20. Holding members 36 are installed in
 the coupling holes 20i and hold the smaller disc cartridge 210 from both
 sides thereof so as to prevent the movement of the smaller disc cartridge
 210 while the same is positioned on the tray 20. Additionally,
 horizontality members 42, respectively mounted in the penetrating holes
 20j, maintain the horizontality of the smaller disc cartridge 210 with
 respect to the bottom of the tray 20 when the smaller disc cartridge 210
 is positioned on the tray 20.
 The press member 24 has a press slider 26, press portions 26a, hooks 28,
 and a pair of press rods 30. The press portions 26a are formed at both
 sides of the press slider 26 to press a side of the 12 cm disc cartridge
 200. The hooks 28 are formed at respective lower sides of the press
 portions 26a and inserted into the guide apertures 20c and 20k of the tray
 20. The press rods 30 are movably installed at both sides of the press
 slider 26 and press a side of the smaller disc cartridge 210 when the same
 is positioned on the tray 20.
 The press rods 30 have contact portions 30b. Grooves 30a are formed around
 the respective circumferential of the press rods 30 and E-rings 32 are
 disposed around the grooves 30a. Thus, the press rods 30 are never
 completely separated from the press sliders 26. Additionally, first coil
 springs 34 are disposed around the press rods 30 to return the press rods
 30 to the initial position. Here, the respective contact portions 30b of
 the press rods 30 are moved along the guide apertures 20c and 20k formed
 at the bottom of the tray 20. Thus, the 12 cm disc cartridge 200 and/or
 smaller disc cartridge 210 are supported by, and properly positioned on
 the tray 20.
 Additionally, the holding members 36 respectively have holder brackets 40
 movably disposed at the coupling holes 20i, respectively. The coupling
 holes 20i are formed at the middle of the sides of the tray 20. The holder
 brackets 40 respectively have guide pieces 38 formed with guide grooves
 into which guide rails 20h of the coupling holes 20i are inserted. A
 leading edge of each of the guide pieces 38 is slanted to prevent a
 possible interference that would occur with a lower surface of the 12 cm
 disc cartridge 200 when the 12 cm disc cartridge 200 is positioned on the
 tray 20.
 Further, each horizontality member 42 has a bracket 46, a bracket shaft 48,
 and a second coil spring 50. The brackets 46 are fixed to a lower surface
 of the tray 20 by screws 44. The bracket shafts 48 are movably disposed on
 the brackets 46, capable of being moved upward and downward. The second
 coil springs 50 elastically support the bracket shafts 48 upwardly.
 Leading edges of the bracket shafts 48 pass through the piercing holes 20j
 of the tray 20 and protrude therefrom. The upper sides of the bracket
 shafts 48 protruded from the piercing holes 20j are then inserted into the
 position holes 212e (see FIG. 10) formed at the lower surface of the
 smaller disc cartridge 210. Thus, the horizontality of the smaller disc
 cartridge 210 is maintained.
 Meanwhile, the detecting section has a first cartridge part, and a second
 cartridge part. The first cartridge part detects the state of the disc d
 accommodated in the 12 cm disc cartridge 200, and the second cartridge
 part detects the state of the disc d' accommodated in the smaller disc
 cartridge 210.
 The first cartridge part has a plurality of sense switches 52. The sense
 switches 52 pass through the first detecting holes 20d formed in the tray
 20 and then inserted into first sensor holes 200c (see FIG. 6) of the 12
 cm disc cartridge 200. Here, the first sensor holes 200c may have a
 cartridge sensor hole, and a plurality of disc state sensor holes, for
 example. In this case, the cartridge sensor hole is in the closed state,
 and the disc state sensor holes are open/closed in accordance with the
 state of the disc.
 The sense switches 52 are attached to the deck base 60, and have a first
 sense switch 52a for sensing the types of the cartridges, and second
 sensor switches 52b for sensing the state of the disc. In an initial state
 that the cartridge is not yet mounted to the tray 20, the sense switches
 52 are in an "off" state. Then, when the cartridge 200 is positioned on
 the tray 20 and advanced into the case 10 of the body, the deck base 60 is
 raised and accordingly, the sense switches 52 are respectively inserted
 into the first sensor holes 200c through a plurality of the first sensor
 holes 20d which are formed at the tray 20. In such a situation, since the
 cartridge sensor hole is in the closed state, the first sense switch 52a
 is pressed by the cartridge so that the first sensor switch 52 is turned
 to the "on" state. Consequently, it is detected that the cartridge is the
 12 cm disc cartridge.
 The second cartridge part has at least one leaf switch 64, and a
 photo-sensor 54. The leaf switch 64 is attached to the deck base 60, while
 being exposed through the guide apertures 20c and 20k of the tray 20. The
 leaf switch 64 senses the size of the smaller disc cartridge 210. The
 photo-sensor 54 senses the state of the disc d' accommodated in the
 smaller disc cartridge 210. Here, the leaf switch 64 is selectively turned
 on/off to detect the size of the smaller disc cartridge 210. More
 specifically, when the contact portions 30b of the press rods 30 which are
 moved along the guide apertures 20c and 20k selectively come in contact
 with the leaf switch 64, the leaf switch 64 is accordingly turned on/off.
 It is determined that the cartridge is the smaller disc cartridge when the
 leaf switch 64 is in "on" state.
 The photo-sensor 54 has a light emitting element 56a, light receiving
 elements 56b, and a circuit board 58 (see FIG. 8). The light emitting
 element 56a projects a laser beam toward the diffusion lens 216 through
 the second detecting holes 20e and the piercing hole 212c of the smaller
 disc cartridge case 212. Here, the diffusion lens 216 is inserted into the
 fitting holes 214a of the opening cover 214. The light receiving elements
 56b are disposed at the positions corresponding to the second sensor holes
 212d of the smaller disc cartridge 210, to receive the laser beam
 transmitted to the second sensor holes 212d along the diffusion lens 216.
 The light emitting element 56a and the light receiving elements 56b are
 attached to the circuit board 58 which electrically detects the laser beam
 received by the light receiving elements 56b.
 A holder 114 is integrally formed on the circuit board 58. The holder 114
 has a predetermined height so that it surrounds the light receiving
 element 56b. Due to the presence of the holder 114, the laser beam
 transmitted to the light receiving element 56b via the diffusion lens 216
 is not diffused to the other neighboring light receiving elements 56b, so
 that the malfunction of the light receiving elements 56b is prevented.
 As described, according to the optical recording/reproducing apparatus of
 the present invention, it is detected that the cartridge is the 12 cm disc
 cartridge when the first sense switch 52a in "on" state. Also, the
 cartridge is detected as the 8 cm disc cartridge when the leaf switch 64
 is turned "on". The state of the disc received in the 12 cm or 8 cm disc
 cartridge is detected through a plurality of the second sense switches 52b
 and the photosensor 54.
 According to the present invention, not only the 12 cm or 8 cm disc
 cartridge, but also a naked disc can be positioned on the tray to be used.
 In this case, it is detected as the naked disc when the first sense switch
 52a and the leaf switch 64 are in "off" state. Since there is no cartridge
 case, the first sense switch 52a and the leaf switch 64 are not pressed
 when the disc is positioned in the case. Accordingly, the first sense
 switch 52a and the leaf switch 64 are in "off" state.
 Further, an adapter accommodating the 8 cm disc and for permitting use of 8
 cm disc in the optical recording/reproducing apparatus for 12 cm disc, can
 be mounted on the tray to be used, and in this case, the adapter is
 automatically detected. A third sensor switch (not shown in the reference
 drawings) for detecting the adapter is additionally provided. The third
 sense switch is such placed to correspond to an A3 sensor hole formed at
 the adapter. The A3 sensor hole is in open state. Accordingly, when the
 adapter is used, the third sense switch is inserted into the A3 sensor
 hole of the adapter. In the present invention, we set the state that the
 third sense switch is inserted into the A3 sensor hole as "off" state, and
 when the third sense switch is turned to the "off" state, it is detected
 that the adapter is positioned on the tray and inserted into the case.
 As described, according to the present invention, 12 cm disc cartridge, 8
 cm disc cartridge, the naked disc, or the adapter is automatically
 detected through a plurality of sense switches corresponding thereto which
 were set to have "on/off" state.
 Additionally, a pair of first positioning pins 62 pass through the
 respective first positioning pin holes 20f, and protrude from the deck
 base 60 to determine the position of the 12 cm disc cartridge 200 on the
 tray 20. The first positioning pins 62 are inserted into insert holes 200d
 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) which are formed on the 12 cm disc cartridge, to
 position the 12 cm disc cartridge.
 Meanwhile, a rotational bracket 68 is disposed at the case 10 by a hinge
 pin 70. The rotational bracket 68 has a pair of second positioning pins 66
 which determine the position of the smaller disc cartridge 210 on the tray
 20. The second positioning pins 66 are inserted into insert holes 212f
 (see FIGS. 10 and 12) which are formed on the smaller disc cartridge 210,
 to position the smaller disc cartridge 210.
 The rotational bracket 68 is rotated upward/downward by rotational driving
 means driven in response to the photo-sensor 54 which detects the disc d'
 of the smaller disc cartridge 210.
 The rotational bracket driving means has a slider 80, a driving motor 82,
 and a power transmitter to transmit the driving power of the driving motor
 82 to the slider 80.
 A pair of slanted slots 80a are formed at both sides of the slider 80 into
 which insert protrusions 68a protruding from both sides of the rotational
 bracket 68 are inserted. The slider 80 is formed with a pair of guide
 holes 80b at a bottom thereof into which guide protrusions 12 protruding
 from the case 10 are respectively inserted. The slider 80 has a coupling
 slot 80d formed with a rack gear 80c at its inner circumferential surface.
 The coupling slot 80d is formed at a rear side of the slider 80.
 The power transmitter has a gear 84, a worm gear 86, and a worm 88. The
 gear 84 passes through the coupling slot 80d to be. engaged with the rack
 gear 80c, and the worm gear 86 is integrally formed with the gear 84. The
 worm gear 86 is engaged with the worm 88, which is press-fitted to a shaft
 of the driving motor 82.
 Meanwhile, refer to FIG. 1, the rotating means has a spindle motor 90 fixed
 to the deck base 60, and a turn table 92 press-fitted to a shaft of the
 spindle motor 90. The discs d and d' accommodated in the disc cartridges
 200 and 210 are selectively loaded on the turn table 92.
 Further, the recording/reproducing means has the pickup base 96, and the
 optical head 98. The pickup base 96 is linearly and reciprocally moved
 along a pair of guide rods 94 provided on the deck base 60 in parallel
 relation with each other. The optical head 98 is provided to an upper
 portion of the pickup base 96, and records/reproduces the information
 on/from the discs d and d' by projecting the laser beam onto the recording
 surface thereof.
 Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the shutter opening/closing means has a
 link 102, an opening protrusion 104 as shown in FIG. 6, and a torsion
 spring (not shown). The link 102 is pivotally disposed at a lower surface
 of an upper cover 100, and the opening protrusion 104 protrudes from an
 end of the link 102. The shutters 202 and 220 mounted on the disc
 cartridges 200 and 210, respectively, are opened by means of the opening
 protrusion 104. The torsion spring (not shown) is installed at the other
 end of the link 102 so as to return the link 102 to an initial position.
 The chucking means has a lever 110, and a damper 112 as shown in FIGS. 1
 and 2. The lever 110 is caulked onto an upper surface of the upper cover
 100, and the clamper 112 presses the discs d and d' onto the turn table
 92.
 Hereinbelow, an operation of an optical recording/reproducing optical
 apparatus constructed as described above according to the present
 invention will be described in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 6
 through 14b.
 When an ejecting button (not shown) provided at a front side of the case 10
 is pushed, a loading motor (not shown) installed inside the case 10
 rotates. Then, the tray 20 is ejected outward from the case 10. In such a
 situation, one of the 12 cm and smaller disc cartridges 200 and 210, or a
 naked disc (a disc without a disc cartridge) is positioned on the tray 20.
 FIGS. 6 to 8 show the 12 cm disc cartridge 200 positioned on the tray 20.
 As shown in the figures, when the 12 cm disc cartridge 200 is positioned
 on the tray 20, a lower surface of the 12 cm disc cartridge 200 is in
 close contact with the bottom of the tray 20. Also, the 12 cm disc
 cartridge 200 is supported by the press portions 26a of the press sliders
 26 disposed behind the 12 cm disc cartridge 200. Thus, the movement of the
 12 cm disc cartridge 200 is prevented.
 In such a situation, as the 12 cm disc cartridge 200 is inserted into the
 tray 20, the contact portions 30b of the press rods 30 are pushed backward
 along the guide apertures 20c and 20k. Further, the bracket shaft 48 whose
 predetermined end has been protruded from the piercing holes 20j of the
 tray 20, is now moved downward by contact with the lower surface of the 12
 cm disc cartridge 200.
 Then, as the eject button is pushed again, the loading motor is reversely
 rotated, so that the tray 20 on which the 12 cm disc cartridge 200 is
 positioned is advanced into the case 10 (Step S101). At this time, the
 shutter 202 mounted on the 12 cm disc cartridge 200 contacts with the
 opening protrusion 104 of the link 102 which is disposed on the upper
 cover 100. Accordingly, the shutter 202 is moved in one direction, so that
 the accommodating hole 200a and the opening 200b are opened.
 When the tray 20 is completely advanced into the case 10, as shown in FIG.
 7 and FIG. 8, the deck base 60 is elevated. Accordingly, the turn table 92
 is advanced into the accommodating hole 200a of the 12 cm disc cartridge
 200, so that the disc d is loaded thereon. Further, the first positioning
 pins 62 pass through the first positioning pin holes 20f of the tray 20,
 and then are inserted into the insert apertures (not shown) of the 12 cm
 disc cartridge 200. By doing so, the position of the 12 cm disc cartridge
 is determined, and the horizontality of the 12 cm disc cartridge 200 with
 respect to the bottom of the tray 20 is maintained.
 Simultaneously, an end of the lever 110 caulked to the upper cover 100 is
 moved downward subsequent to the advancing of the tray 20 into the case
 10. Subsequently, the clamper 112 is advanced into the upper accommodating
 hole 200a of the 12 cm disc cartridge 200 to press the hub of the disc d
 and chuck the disc d onto the turn table 92.
 In such a situation, it is checked whether the third sense switch is in
 "on" state (Step S102), and if yes, it is detected that the disc cartridge
 or the naked disc is positioned (Step S103), and if not, it is detected
 that the adapter is positioned (Step S104).
 After the step 103 (S103), it is detected whether the disc cartridge or the
 naked disc is positioned. In this case, when the first sense switch and
 the leaf switch are in the "off" state, it is detected that the naked disc
 is positioned (Step S106). If not, it is detected that the disc cartridge
 is positioned (Step S107).
 Here, when the first sense switch is in the "on" state (Step S108), it is
 determined that the disc cartridge is the 12 cm disc cartridge (Step
 S109). If the leaf switch is in "on" state (Step S110), it is detected
 that the disc cartridge is the 8 cm disc cartridge (Step S111).
 After detecting the disc cartridge or the naked disc, the pickup base 96
 having the optical head 98 mounted to the pickup base 96 is moved to an
 initial position (Step S112). In such a situation, by other sense switches
 which are selectively inserted into the first sensor holes of the disc
 cartridge 200, the states of the disc d is detected. For example, there
 may be a recording surface sense switch which is turned "on/off" (Step
 S113) so as to detect whether the disc is single-sided or double-sided
 (Steps S114 and S115). Also, there may be a format sense switch to be
 turned "on/off" (Step S116) so as to detect whether the disc is formatted
 or not (Steps S117 and S118).
 After the size, recording surface, formatted status or the like are
 detected as above, the result thereof are displayed to the user for
 checking (Step S119). Then, it is detected whether to verify the recording
 surface of the disc or not (Steps S120 and S121). Then, it is detected
 whether the information is recorded or not (Steps S122, S123, and S124),
 the selected conditions are detected, and the information is recorded
 and/or reproduced on/from the disc in accordance with the selected
 conditions (Step S125).
 Here, when the adapter is detected, the process is performed from the step
 112 (S112) after the step 104 (S104). Then when the disc is detected (Step
 S106), the pickup is moved to the initial position (Step S106a), it is
 detected whether the disc is single-sided or doublesided (Step S106b), and
 the recording is performed (Step S106c). In such situation, whether the
 disc is single-sided or not is detected by the pickup which reads a
 reading area of the disc. More specifically, the pickup reads the data
 about A and B sides which is recorded on the reading area of the disc.
 FIGS. 9 to 13 show the situation in which the smaller disc cartridge 210 is
 positioned on the tray 20, and the information is recorded/reproduced
 on/from the disc d' thereof. In the figures, the smaller disc cartridge
 210 is positioned on the tray 20, pushing the press rods 30 provided to
 the press slider 26 backward. In this situation, the bracket shaft 48
 whose one end is protruded from the piercing hole 20j of the tray 20 is
 inserted into the insert hole of the smaller disc cartridge 210. Also, the
 press rods 30 which have been pushed backward are moved toward the
 cartridge case 212 of the smaller disc cartridge 210 by the restoring
 force of the first coil spring 34. Accordingly, the movement of the disc
 cartridge 210 is prevented.
 Then, the holder brackets 40 disposed at the coupling holes 20i of the tray
 20 are pressed in a lateral direction. Accordingly, the holder brackets 40
 are moved inward with respect to the tray 20 along the guide rails 20h
 into which the guide pieces 38 are inserted, and then press both sides of
 the case 212 of the disc cartridge 210. Thus, the movement of the smaller
 disc cartridge 210 in a lateral direction is prevented.
 In such a situation, when the tray 20 is advanced into the case 10, like
 the process described above, the shutter 220 of the smaller disc cartridge
 210 is moved toward one direction by the opening protrusion 104 of the
 link 102. Then, by the deck base 60 which is elevated, the turn table 92
 is moved upward and advanced into the accommodating hole 212a of the disc
 cartridge 210 and the disc d' is positioned thereon. At this time, as
 shown in FIG. 11, the leaf switch 64 attached to the deck base 60 contacts
 with the contact portions 30b of the press rods 30, and detects that the
 disc cartridge positioned on the tray 20 is the smaller disc cartridge
 210. With the smaller disc cartridge 210 detected, the pickup base 96
 having the optical head 98 is simultaneously moved to its initial
 position.
 When the size of the smaller disc cartridge 210 is detected by using the
 leaf switch 64, the driving motor 82 is accordingly rotated based on the
 sensed signal. Simultaneously, the worm 88 coupled to the rotary shaft of
 the driving motor 82 and the worm gear 86 engaged with the worm 88 are
 rotated altogether. Also, as the gear 84 engaged with the rack gear 80c of
 the slider 80 is rotated, the slider 80 is moved backward as shown in FIG.
 13. In such a situation, the rotational bracket 68 coupled to the inner
 side of the case 10 by the hinge pin 70 is elevated as the insert
 protrusions 68a protruded from both sides of the rotational bracket 68 are
 moved along the slanted slots 80a by the linear movement of the slider 80.
 Sirnultaneously, the second positioning pins 66 fixed to the upper surface
 of the rotational bracket 68 pass through the second positioning pin holes
 20g of the tray 20, and are inserted into the insert holes of the disc
 cartridge 210. Accordingly, the position of the smaller disc cartridge 210
 with respect to the tray 20 is determined.
 After that, the laser beam is radiated from the light emitting element 56a
 which is attached to the circuit board 58 of the deck base 60. The laser
 beam passes through the second detecting hole 20e of the tray 20 and the
 piercing hole 212c of the disc cartridge 210, and to the diffusion lens
 216 inserted into the fitting holes 214a of the opening cover 214. The
 laser beam is then received in the light receiving element 56b through the
 sensor hole 212d and the second detecting hole 20e. Accordingly, the state
 of the disc is detected.
 As shown in FIG. 12, the laser beam radiated from the light emitting
 element 56a attached to the circuit board 58 is radiated to the insert
 portion 216a of the diffusion lens 216 while passing through the piecing
 hole 212c of the disc cartridge case 212. The laser beam radiated to the
 insert portions 216a is branched off to a plurality of beams which are
 respectively transmitted to the connectors 216b, which are linking the
 insert portions 216a with other ones of the insert portions 216a. Such
 transmitted laser beams are received in the light receiving element 56b
 formed at the position corresponding to the second sensor holes 212d and
 the second detecting holes 20e, after passing through the second sensor
 holes 212d and the second detecting holes 20e. Accordingly, it is
 automatically determined whether the disc accommodated in the disc
 cartridge is a single-sided disc or a double-sided disc, and formatted or
 unformatted.
 More specifically, if the light receiving plate 218 movably attached to the
 disc cartridge case 212 is manually operated and thus blocks one of the
 second sensor holes 212d, then the laser beam radiated through the
 diffusion lens 216 is not transmitted to the light receiving element 56b.
 Thus, it is determined that the disc d' has not been drawn out from the
 disc cartridge 210 even once. If the light receiving plate 218 blocks
 another sensor hole 212d, then it is determined that the disc d' is a
 double-sided disc, and if not, the disc d' is determined to be a
 single-sided disc. Finally, whether the disc d' is formatted is determined
 by the open/closed state of the other sensor hole 212d.
 Here, due to the presence of the holder 114 surrounding the light receiving
 elements 56b, the laser beams are not diffused through the other
 neighboring light receiving elements 56b. Accordingly, the precise
 detecting of the state of the disc can be guaranteed.
 If a naked disc is positioned onto the tray 20, then the optical
 recording/reproducing apparatus senses such a state, so that it moves the
 pickup base 96 disposed with the optical head 98 to the initial position.
 Then, it is detected whether the disc is a single-sided disc or a
 double-sided disc, and the information is recorded and/or reproduced
 on/from a recordable and/or reproducible track of the disc d'.
 Meanwhile, there is an A3 sensor hole which is in an open-state. Thus, when
 the adapter receiving the 8 cm disc d' is positioned onto the tray 20, the
 third sense switch is inserted into the A3 sensor hole, and accordingly it
 is detected that the adapter for the 8 cm disc is positioned. The adapter
 is for accommodating either of the 8 cm or 12 cm discs.
 When the adapter is detected through the sense switch, the pickup base 96
 installed along with the optical head 98 is moved to the initial position.
 Then, a detection is made whether the disc d' is single-sided or
 double-sided, and the information is recorded/reproduced on/from the
 detected available side(s) of the disc d'.
 As described above, according to the optical recording/reproducing
 apparatus of the present invention, since the disc cartridges of different
 sizes, the naked disc, and the adapter receiving the 8 cm disc can be
 positioned on only one tray to be used, the compatibility thereof is
 enhanced, and the cost is reduced.
 Further, according to the optical recording/reproducing apparatus of the
 present invention, since the state of the disc accommodated in the disc
 cartridge and the adapter positioned on the tray are automatically
 detected, and since the operation thereof is automatically carried out
 according to the sensed state of the disc, the time taken to
 record/reproduce the information on the disc is shortened, thus providing
 a greater convenience to the user.
 While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to
 the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled
 in the art that various changes in form and details may be effected
 therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
 defined by the appended claims.