APPARATUS FOR REPRODUCING SIGNALS FROM BOTH SIDES OF DISCS

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing signals from both sides of a disc (1) which comprises a detector for detecting that the signal reproduction side of the disc (1) opposed to the pickup is being changed over from one side to the other side, and a device for notifying the user that the reproduction side is being changed over according to an output signal from the detector. The notifying device enables the user to properly recognize the state of the pickup during the travel thereof between the both sides of the disc (1).

Description: The present invention relates to an apparatus for reproducing information such as audio signals or video signals from both sides of discs in succession, i.e. first from one side of the disc and subsequently automatically from the other side thereof. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Audio signals are reproduced from both sides of records in succession using conventional record players by reproducing signals from one side of the record first, then removing the record from the player, placing the record as turned upside down on the player and reproducing signals from the other side. This procedure is very cumbersome. Accordingly, Examined Japanese Patent Publication SHO 62-4762 proposes a record player which is adapted to reproduce signals from both sides of a record in succession automatically. With reference to Fig. 18, the proposed record player comprises a linear tracking arm 109 having a pickup, and U-shaped guide means 110 for transferring the arm from one side of the record to the other side. After the record has been played for reproduction from one side by the pickup, the linear tracking arm is transferred to the other side by the guide means, and the record is played for the other side by reversely rotating the record drive motor. When the record player is used for signal reproduction from both sides of the record in succession, no reproduced signal is obtained during the transfer of the linear tracking arm from one side of the record to the other side thereof. During this period, therefore, the user is unable to recognize whether the arm is being transferred or the reproduction is interrupted owing to a malfunction of the player. On the other hand, a disc player has been proposed which is adapted for use with discs having audio signals and address data recorded thereon in the form of digital signals and in which the position of the pickup is indicated during signal reproduction (Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication SHO 60-50761). With reference to Fig. 17 showing the construction of the disc player, the signals read out of a disk 1 by a pickup 2 are fed to a loudspeaker 105 via a demodulator circuit 103 and a D/A converter 104 for the reproduction of audio signals recorded on the disc 1. The output signal from the demodulator circuit 103 is fed to an address detection circuit 106 to extract address data recorded along with the audio signal. The address data is sent to a control circuit 107 for controlling the rotation of the disc and the feed of the pickup 2 and then to a pickup position indicator 108, which in turn indicates the position of the pickup relative to the disc. This pickup position indication system will be convenient for use in the above-mentioned apparatus for reproducing signals from both sides of discs for indicating the position of the pickup during signal reproduction. However, during the transfer of the pickup from one side of the disc to the other side, the system fails to indicate the position of the pickup since no address signal is available during this period. Accordingly, there still remains the problem that the user is unable to distinguish between the transfer of the pickup from one side of the disc to the other side and an abnormality occurring in signal reproduction. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for reproducing signals from both sides of a disc which enables an user to distinguish between the transfer of the pickup device and a malfunction in a signal reproduction. This object is achieved by an apparatus as defined in claim 1; the dependent claims are related to further developments of the invention. The reproduction apparatus of the present invention includes the reproduction side change-over detecting means and the means for notifying the user that the reproduction side is being changed over according to an output signal from the change-over detecting means, so that the notifying means enables the user to properly recognize the transfer of the pickup from one side of the disc to the other side when the pickup is so transported. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic construction of characteristic portion of the reproduction apparatus of the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a disc player; Fig. 3 is a perspective view partly broken away of a pickup transport assembly; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the pickup transport assembly; Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing the upper half of the pickup transport assembly; Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing the lower half of the pickup transport assembly; Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the signal recording face and the position of the pickup; Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the disc player and a display as interconnected; Fig. 9 is a front view of an LED display panel; Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing the overall construction of the disc player; Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a representation on the display; Figs. 12 (a) to (d) are diagrams showing changes in the representation on the display; Fig. 13 is a diagram showing when to display "JET TURN"; Fig. 14 is a fragmentary block diagram showing another disc player of different construction; Figs. 15 (a) to (f) are diagrams showing changes in the representation on the display; Fig. 16 is an overall block diagram showing another disc player of different construction; Fig. 17 is a block diagram showing the construction of a conventional disc player; and Fig. 18 is a front view schematically showing a conventional record player for double-face reproduction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Basic Construction Fig. 1 shows the basic construction of the apparatus of the invention for reproducing signals from both sides of discs. The rotation of the disc 1 and the feed or transport of a pickup 2 are controlled by drive control means 3. The output signal of the pickup 2 is fed to signal reproduction means 4, which feeds a reproduced signal to a display or a loudspeaker. When the reproduction side of the disc is being changed over from one side to the other side, a change-over detecting means 5 detects the change-over according to the output signal, for example, of the drive means 3 or the reproduction means 4. The detection means 5 delivers an output signal to informing or notifying means 6, such as a display, speaker or the like, which enables the user to recognize that the reproduction side is being changed over. Described below are several optical disc players embodying the invention and having the above basic construction. These disc players have a pickup transport assembly which will be described below with reference to Figs. 2 to 6. The construction of this assembly is common to these players. Pickup Transport Assembly Fig. 2 shows the appearance of a video disc player. A cabinet 7 in the form of a flat rectangular parallelepiped houses a turntable 8 for drivingly rotating an optical disc 1, a pickup transport assembly 11 for moving the pickup 2 along a pair of U-shaped guide rails 9, 10, and a circuit board 12 provided with electric circuits such as drive control circuit for these components and a video signal processing circuit. A disc tray 13 for placing the disc 1 thereon is provided at an opening in a front panel 14 and is movable into or out of the cabinet. The front panel 14 is provided with a plurality of operation keys 15 and an LED display panel 16 for showing the state of the player in operation. The pickup 2 comprises an optical system including a semiconductor laser, objective lens and the like, a converter for converting an optical signal to an electric signal, etc. With reference to Figs. 3 to 6, the pickup 2 is mounted on a support base 17, which has at its respective opposite sides a pair of pinions 19, 20 drivingly rotatable by a feed motor 18, and a pair of guide rollers 21, 22. The guide rails 9, 10 comprise upper straight portions 9a, 10a extending along the upper side of the disc positioned in place, lower straight portions 9c, 10c extending along the lower side of the disc, and circular-arc connecting portions 9b, 10b interconnecting the respective pairs of the straight portions, respectively. Each guide rail is U-shaped in its entirety. The guide rails 9, 10 are fixed to an upper chassis 27 and a lower chassis 28. The guide rails 9, 10 are respectively formed in the inner side with racks 23, 24 meshing with the pinions 19, 20, and guide grooves 25, 26 extending along the racks for the guide rollers 21, 22 to fit in. The upper and lower chassis 27, 28 are respectively provided with a pair of guide poles 29, 30 extending in parallel to the respective straight portions 10a, 10c of the guide rail 10. The pickup support base 17 is formed in its bottom side with a guide bore 31 for the guide poles 29, 30 to fit in. As seen in Fig. 4, the turntable 8 is driven by a spindle motor 32. The feed motor 18, when driven, drives the support base 17 on the guide rails 9, 10. During travel on the lower straight portions 9c, 10c, the support base 17 is guided straight by the guide pole 30 fitting in the guide bore 31, whereby the lower side of the disc 1 is scanned. During travel on the upper straight portions 9a, 10a, the support base 17 is guided along straight by the guide pole 29 fitting in the bore 31, whereby the upper side of the disc 1 is scanned. The lower and upper sides of the disc can be scanned in succession by the travel of the base 17 along the connecting portions 9b, 10b of the guide rails. As shown in Fig. 4, the guide rail straight portions 10a, 10c are provided with an upper lead-in switch 44 and a lower lead-in switch 45, respectively, at their ends close to the disc inner periphery. The pickup support base 17 has a lug 17a for actuating the switches 44, 45. Signal Format The signal recording format of the optical disc will be described next. With reference to Fig. 7, the signal recording face of the disc 1 has three areas: a lead-in area 1a along the inner periphery of the disc, a lead-out area 1c at the outer periphery of the disc, and a program area 1b between these two areas 1a, 1c. The lead-in area 1a comprises about 900 signal tracks. Each of the tracks has recorded therein a lead-in signal designating the data recording start location at the 17th and 18th horizontal scanning lines (17H, 18H) in the vertical blanking period of video signals. The lead-out area 1c comprises about 600 signal tracks, each of which has recorded therein a lead-out signal designating the data recording completion location at the 17th H and 18th H in the vertical blanking period. The program area 1b has recorded therein video signals at a constant linear or angular velocity from inner periphery toward outer periphery, along with various items of code data as will be described later. More specifically, in the case of CLV (constant linear velocity) discs, the chapter number indicating a program section is recorded at the 18th H of the vertical blanking period of the program area 1b, and program time indicating the duration of reproduction from the program area start point is recorded at the 17th H and 18th H. In the case of CAV (constant angular velocity) discs, a video signal frame number is recorded at the 280th H and 281st H of the vertical blanking period instead of the program time. With reference to Fig. 7, when the support base 17 is positioned at an area A or D toward the disc inner periphery of the upper straight portions 9a, 10a or lower straight portions 9c, 10c of the guide rails 9, 10, the pickup 2 detects the lead-in signal, whereby the start of reproduction of the program area is detected. Further when the support base 17 is positioned at the end area B or C toward the disc outer periphery of the upper straight portions 9a, 10a or lower straight portions 9c, 10c of the rails 9, 10, the pickup 2 detects the lead-out signal, whereby the completion of reproduction of signals from the recording face is detected. When the lower side, for example, of the disc is to be played, the spindle motor 32 is rotated forward, and the feed motor is then driven to move the support base 17 to the ends toward the disc inner periphery of the lower straight portions 9c, 10c of the guide rails 9, 10. Upon the actuation of the lower lead-in switch 45, the feed motor is reversely rotated, thereby causing the pickup 2 to start scanning the lead-in area 1a of the disc 1. When the spindle motor 32 has reached a speed (1800 r.p.m.) specified for signal reproduction during the scanning, the lead-in signal is read out. Regardless of whether the disc 1 is a CLV disc or CAV disc, the speed of rotation of the disc specified for the reproduction of the lead-in area is 1800 r.p.m., so that the lead-in signal can be read out irrespective of the kind of disc. Upon reading the lead-in signal, the pickup 2 moves out of the lead-in area 1a by repeating a track jumping action to start scanning the program area 1b. When the upper side of the disc is to be played, the spindle motor 32 is rotated in a direction opposite to the direction for the disc lower side, the support base 17 is then moved toward the ends toward the disc inner periphery of the upper straight portions 9a, 10a of the gudie rails 9, 10, and the feed motor is reversely rotated upon the actuation of the upper lead-in switch 45, causing the pickup to scan the lead-in area 1a and the program area 1b in the same manner as above. Affixed to each side of the disc 1 radially inwardly of the lead-in area 1a is a label representing the content of the record on the other side thereof. Thus, the label affixed to the A side of the disc 1 bears information as to what is recorded on the B side, while the label affixed to the B side bears information as to what is recorded on the A side. In this way, the signal recording side of the disc and the side bearing the corresponding label are in opposite relationship for the following reason. With conventional single-side reproduction apparatus, the pickup 2 is disposed on the lower side of the disc 1 as seen in Fig. 31, whereas when the disc is to be placed in the apparatus, the user can recognize the label as affixed to the other side of the disc. The disc is loaded into the player of the invention usualy with the A side down, i.e., with the label bearing the data as to the A side positioned up. First Embodiment A first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 13. As shown in Fig. 8, the embodiment, i.e. disc player, is used as connected to a display 33 which is a TV receiver. The screen of the display 33 and an LED display panel 16 provided on the front panel of the display show the state of the disc player in operation as will be described later. As shown in Fig. 9, the LED display panel 16 comprises a pair of character indicators L0, L11 and first to tenth LED indicators L1 to L10 which are arranged in conformity with the form of the U-shaped guide rails. Fig. 10 shows an arrangement for notifying the user of the state of the disc player in operation. A double-side access instructing means 34 gives a double-side access instruction for reproducing the desired chapter, for example, on B side during reproduction from A side by manipulating a key on the operation panel. A double-side program instructing means 35 gives a double-side program instruction, for example, for reproducing a specified chapter on B side after the completion of reproduction of a specified chapter on A side according to a program preset by the user with keys. JET TURN mode designating means 36 comprises a key which is to be depressed for setting a "double-side successive reproduction mode" wherein both sides of the disc are to be played automatically in succession. The inversion of the pickup from one side of the disc to the other side is herein termed "JET TURN." JET TURN instructing means 37 gives a JET TURN instruction when the lead-out signal on A side is detected by a lead-out detecting circuit 38 in the double-side successive reproduction mode. In contrast with this mode, a "single-side reproduction mode" is also provided in which only one side of the disc is played, and the player is then stopped. When the lead-out signal is detected in this case, the pickup is returned to innermost periperal portion of A side. The instruction from the instruction means 34, 35 or 37 is first sent to a main control circuit 40, which prepares a control signal in accordance with the reproduction mode designated. The signal is then fed to a spindle motor control circuit 41, feed motor control circuit 42 and notice/mute control circuit 43. The spindle motor control circuit 41 prepares a control signal for forwardly rotating the spindle motor 32 for reproduction from the disc lower side (A side) or for reversely rotating the motor 32 for reproduction from the upper side (B side) and feeds the signal to the spindle motor 32. The feed motor control circuit 42 controls the start, stop and speed of the feed motor 18. For example when the player is initiated into double-side successive reproduction operation by depressing the key concerned, the pickup 2 is quickly transported to the innermost peripheral portion of the disc on the lower side thereof by the feed motor 18 which is rotated at a high speed to actuate the lower lead-in switch 45. The pickup 2 then starts scanning the lead-in area, and at the same time, the feed motor 18 is initiated into low-speed rotation for the pickup to read out the lead-in signal. The lead-in signal read out is detected by a lead-in detecting circuit 46, this indicating that the spindle motor 32 has reached the specified speed of rotation for reproduction from the program area, whereupon a kick control circuit 47 initiates the pickup 2 into a jumping action. This action is repeated until the pickup 2 moves out of the lead-in area. Consequently, the pickup 2 rapidly moves out of the lead-in area with the spindle motor 32 maintained at the speed required for signal reproduction from the program area. The departure from the lead-in area is recognized by code data, such as chapter number or program time, which is detected instead of the lead-in signal. After moving out of the lead-in area, the pickup 2 reproduces signals from the program area on the disc lower side, and the reproduced video signals are demodulated by a demodulator circuit 48 and then sent to the display 33 to produce images. The lead-out area of the disc 1 is thereafter scanned to read out the lead-out signal, whereupon the feed motor 18 is brought into high-speed rotation, causing the pickup 2 to perform an upward JET TURN movement from the disc lower side toward its upper side. The pickup quickly reaches the innermost peripheral portion of the disc upper side, actuating the upper lead-in switch 44, whereupon the feed motor 18 is brought into reverse low-speed rotation for reproduction from the upper side. During the upward JET TURN, the spindle motor 32 is reversed to rotate at the speed of 1800 r.p.m. The pickup 2 subsequently moves out of the lead-in area, reproduces signals from the program area and further moves to the lead-out area to read out the lead-out signal, whereupon the pickup 2 performs a downward JET TURN movement along the guide rails to reach the innermost peripheral portion of the disc lower side. The pickup 2 remains in this position for the subsequent reproduction operation, whereby both sides are completely played in succession for reproduction. When the pickup 2 is to perform upward JET TURN in the double-side successive reproduction mode, the lead-out signal is detected from the disc lower side, whereupon an instruction to display downward "JET TURN" (hereinafter referred to as "downward display instruction") is given to a display control circuit 50 for the display 33 and to a display control circuit 51 for the LED display panel 16. The display instruction is discontinued upon the pickup 2 moving out of the lead-in area on the disc upper side. Similarly, when the pickup 2 is to perform downward JET TURN, the lead-out signal is detected from the disc upper side, whereupon an instruction to display upward "JET TURN" (hereinafter referred to as "upward display instruction") is given. While the player is not set for the double-side successive reproduction mode, i.e. during reproduction from one side, the double-side access instructing means 34 is likely to give an instruction to reproduce a particular chapter from the other side. Simultaneously with this, the notice/mute control circuit 43 sends a downward or upward display instruction to the display control circuits 50, 51 in this case. In the case where the reproduction side is to be changed over according to a program preset by the double-side program instructing means 35, for example, when the reproduction of chapter Na on A side is to be followed by the reproduction of chapter Nb on B side, the notice/mute control circuit 43 gives a downward display instruction to the control circuits 50, 51 on completion of reproduction of chapter Na. Conversely when the reproduction of chapter Nb on B side is to be followed by the reproduction of chapter Na on A side, the notice/mute control circuit 43 gives an upward display instruction to the control circuits 50, 51 on completion of reproduction of chapter Nb. When the reproduction side is changed over from one side to the other side in various modes, the lead-in area on the other side is invariably scanned to detect the lead-in signal therefrom, and the spindle motor reaches the specified speed for signal reproduction before the desired chapter on the other side is reproduced, so that in either of the above cases, the JET TURN instruction is continued until the pickup moves out of the lead-in area. During the operation of the display control circuit 50, a built-in character generator shows on the screen of the display 33 the seven characters of "JET TURN". Also shown are square indicator blocks B1 to B23 in a U-shaped arrangement as turned on one after another with a given period as will be described below (see Figs. 11 and 12 (a)). More specifically, when the downward display instruction is given, the first indicator block B1 is first turned on, and the adjacent indicator blocks are thereafter turned on one after another as seen in Figs. 12 (b) and (c) until all the blocks are turned on as shown in Fig. 12 (d). The screen then resumes the initial state of Fig. 12 (a), and the indicator blocks are thereafter turned on one after another again. This operation is repeated with a predetermined period (e.g., 2 seconds) while the display instruction remains. Alternatively when the upward display instruction is given, the indicator blocks are turned on one after another from block B23 toward block B1. The LED display control circuit 51 drives the LED display panel 16 to turn on the indicators shown in Fig. 9. The character indicators L0 and L11 on the panel 16 are flickered when the downward and upward display instructions are given, respectively. The LED indicator L1 corresponds to the indicator blocks B1 to B3 on the display screen, and each of the other LED indicators L2 to L10 to two or three indicator blocks on the display 33. Accordingly, when the downward or upward display instruction is given, the LED indicators L1 to L10 are turned on one after another in the same direction as, and in synchronism with, the indicator blocks on the display 33. The indicators L0 and L11 on the panel 16 are used also for indicating the disc side accessed or being played for signal reproduction. The indicator L0 or L11 concerned is flickered for showing the access or is turned on for showing reproduction. Fig. 13 shows the duration of the display instruction. The representation "JET TURN" is turned on when the JET TURN instruction is given and held on during the period in which the lead-in switch opposed to the side to be played is turned on, the spindle motor is reversely rotated and the lead-in signal is detected until the pickup moves out of the lead-in area. In the representation of JET TURN, the actual direction of movement of the pickup is in reverse relation to the displayed direction as shown in Fig. 12, in accordance with the reverse or opposite relationship between the label and the reproduction side thereby represented as already stated. More specifically, when the user places the disc on the player with A side, identified by the label, (actually B side) up, the disc lower side is reproduced first and the upper side is then played actually, whereas the user recognizes that the upper side is reproduced first, so that the display is given in accordance with the recognition by the user to avoid the possible error in handling the disc. With reference to Fig. 10, a mute circuit 52 prevents the display 33 from showing the data from the pickup 2 during JET TURN of the pickup 2 and also while a specified chapter is being accessed. The notice/mute control circuit 43 has connected thereto a voice synthesizing circuit 53 and a loudspeaker 54 for notifying the user of the JET TURN movement with a voice instead of or in addition to the representation on the display 33 as required. In this case, the notice/mute control circuit 43 gives an upward or downward display instruction to the display control circuits 50, 51 and, at the same time, issues an instruction to announce "JET TURN" to the voice synthesizing circuit 53. The voice synthesizing circuit 53 is provided with a memory having stored therein a voice signal representing "JET TURN." In response to the announcement instruction from the notice/mute control circuit 43, the voice signal is read out of the memory and fed to the speaker 54, which announces the message "JET TURN." Two kinds of voice signals for "JET TURN START" and "JET TURN END" can be stored in the memory to give the former message with the start of the JET TURN movement and to deliver the latter message a predetermined period of time thereafter or upon the actuation of the lead-in switch opposed to the disc side to be played. It is also possible to deliver the messages of "RETURN TO A SIDE" or "RETURN TO B SIDE" representing the destination disc side, or to notify the user of the start and completion of JET TURN with a buzzing sound. According to the foregoing embodiment, when the pickup performs a JET TURN movement, the user is notified of the movement by a display, LED indicators or with a voice or sound output, enabling the user to properly recognize the state of the pickup in movement. The expedient is therefore useful. The method of notification of a change-over of the reproduction side described is not only useful for disc players of the type shown in Fig. 3 wherein a single pickup is movable to either side of the disc along the U-shaped guide means but is also usable for disc players which are equipped with a plurality of pickups corresponding to the number of signal recording faces to be played in succession for signal reproduction. With such a disc player, each pickup is reciprocatingly driven straight only radially of the disc. When the disc is inverted in this case for a change-over of the disc reproduction side from one side to the other side, the user is notified of the change-over . Second Embodiment The circuit of Fig. 14 includes a circuit 56 for detecting the number of revolutions of the feed motor 18 and a pickup position computing circuit 55 between the feed motor 18 and the notice/mute control circuit 43, whereby the position of the pickup 2 during JET TURN is displayed accurately. The revolution number detecting circuit 56 detects the rotation of the feed motor 18 to produce one pulse upon every revolution of the motor. The pickup position computing circuit 55 comprises a counter 57 for counting output pulses from the circuit 56, an OR circuit 58 for resetting the counter 57 in response to an output from the upper or lower lead-in switch 44 or 45, a reference count holding circuit 59 holding therein the reference count values to be described later, and a comparator circuit 60 for delivering to the notice/mute control circuit 43 a position signal in accordance with the position of the pickup based on the reference count value and the output from the counter 57. For example when the reproduction from the disc lower side is to be followed by the reproduction from the upper side, the counter 57 starts counting output pulses upon the actuation of the lower lead-in switch 45. The count gradually increases with an increase in the distance of travel of the pickup. The counting operation is discontinued upon the actuation of the upper lead-in switch 44 after a JET TURN movement. Further when the pickup starts reproducing signals from the disc upper side, the count increased with an increase in the distance of travel of the pickup after the upper lead-in switch 44 has been actuated until the lower lead-in switch 45 is actuated. The counts obtained during the travel of the pickup between the two lead-in switches 44, 45 are divided into 23 equal sections, and the ranges of counts in the respective sections are set in the reference count holding circuit 59 as the reference counts. For example, if the total count is 2300, the first section ranges from 1 to 100 counts, and the second section ranges from 101 to 200 counts. The 23 sections of counts correspond to the 23 indicator blocks shown in Fig. 11. The comparator circuit 60 compares the current count output from the counter 57 with the reference counts and determines the section in which the current count is included. The result is forwarded to the notice/mute control circuit 43 as a position signal. Consequently, the display control circuit 50 turns on the indicator block B1 to the block corresponding to the section in which the current count is included (see Fig. 11), and further blocks are turned on one after another with an increase in the distance of travel of the pickup due to the subsequent JET TURN movement, as illustrated in Figs. 15 (a) to (f). For example, when the pickup position immediately before the start of upward JET TURN corresponds to the indicator block B5, the blocks B1 to B5 are all turned on (Fig. 15 (b)), and further adjacent indicator blocks are turned on one after another with an increase in the amount of rotation of the feed motor (Figs. 15, (c) to (e)). All the indicator blocks are turned on immediately before the upper lead-in switch is actuated after the JET TURN (Fig. 15 (f)). When the upper lead-in switch 44 is turned on subsequently, the counter 57 is reset, and all the indicator blocks are turned off. When the pickup moves out of the lead-in area on the disc upper side while moving toward the disc outer periphery, the display resumes the usual state of screen to show the reproduced picture. When the pickup 2 performs a downward JET TURN movement, the indicator blocks are turned on in an order reverse to the above. The LED indicators on the LED display panel 16 are of course turned on one after another in accordance with the direction and distance of travel of the pickup. The foregoing embodiment enables the user to accurately recognize the direction of travel of the pickup and the position thereof when the pickup is brought into a JET TURN movement and is therefore useful. Third Embodiment Fig. 16 shows a circuit for controlling the notice/mute control circuit 43 more ingeniously with reference to side information or data included in video signals as will be described below. The side data is code data recorded in advance in video signals at a specified horizontal scanning line (e.g. the 16th H) in the vertical blanking period to indicate which of A side and B side has recorded the video signals. The reproduced video signal obtained from the demodulator circuit 48 is fed to a code separating circuit 49, by which the items of data such as side data, chapter number, etc. included in the video signal are separated off. These items of code data are sent to a side data detecting circuit 62, whereby the side data only is separated off. The side data is delivered to the notice/mute control circuit 43. When the side data detecting circuit 62 has detected that the disc is set in the player in the usual manner with its B side up, the notice/mute control circuit 43 gives the same display instruction as already described with reference to Fig. 10. On the other hand, when the disc is placed in the player with A side up reverse to the usual orientation, the pickup 2 immediately moves to the upper side of the disc after the side data has been identified, starting reproduction from A side. After the completion of reproduction from A side, the pickup moves to the lower side for reproducing signals from B side. At this time, the notice/mute control circuit 43 gives a downward display instruction during the travel of the pickup 2 from A side to B side, and delivers an upward display instruction during the travel of the pickup 2 from B side to A side. Consequently, the recognition of the user that a reproduction procedure has been followed from the disc upper side to the lower side matches the representation of movement of the pickup 2 on the display 33 or on the LED display panel 16. Regardless of whether A side or B side is positioned up when the disc is loaded in the player, the above embodiment enables the user to accurately recognize the direction of movement of the pickup.

Claims: An apparatus for reproducing signals from both sides of a disc (1) in succession having at least one pickup (2) movable radially of the disc (1) while the disc (1) is being rotated at a high speed, drive control means (3) for controlling the rotation of the disc (1) and the movement of the pickup (2), and signal reproduction means (4) having connected thereto the output terminal of the pickup (2), the apparatus being characterized in that it comprises means (5) for detecting that the signal reproduction side of the disc (1) opposed to the pickup (2) is being changed over from one side to the other side, and means (6) for notifying the user that the reproduction side is being changed over according to an output signal from the detecting means (5). An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the disc (1) is an optical disc, and the pickup (2) is an optical pickup for optically reading out the signals from the optical disc (1), the pickup (2) being coupled to a pickup transport assembly provided with U-shaped guide means (9, 10), the guide means comprising a pair of straight portions (9a, 10a, 9c, 10c) for moving the pickup (2) therealong and along the signal recording face of the disc (1) radially thereof, and a circular arc connecting portion (9b, 10b) interconnecting the straight portions (9d, 10d, 9c, 10c) the pickup (2) being movable from one side of the disc (1) to the other side thereof while being inverted by moving along the connecting portion (9b, 10b). An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the notifying means (6) has connected thereto a display (33) serving as an external video device and is provided with a control circuit (50) for showing in the form of an image what is to be notified. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the control circuit (50) shows the direction of movement of the pickup (2) on the screen of the display (33). An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the notifying means (6) is provided with a circuit (53) for synthesizing what is to be notified as a voice, and a loudspeaker (54) having connected thereto the output terminal of the synthesizing circuit (53). An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the disc reproduction side change-over detecting means (5) has means for detecting a lead-out signal from the side of the disc (1) which is subjected to signal reproduction first in a double-side successive reproduction mode, and interprets the detection of the lead-out signal as indicating the start of the reproduction side change-over. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the disc reproduction side change-over detecting means (5) has means for detecting a pickup inversion instruction given to the pickup transport assembly, and interprets the detection of the instruction as indicating the start of the reproduction side change-over. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the disc reproduction side change-over detecting means (5) has means for detecting that the pickup (2) has moved out of the lead-in area on the side of the disc (1) to be subjected to signal reproduction after the other side thereof, and interprets the detection of the moving-out of the pickup as indicating the completion of reproduction side change-over. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the disc reproduction side change-over detecting means (5) has means for measuring a predetermined period of time after a lead-out signal has been detected from the side of the disc (1) to be subjected to signal reproduction, and interprets the lapse of the predetermined time period as indicating the completion of the reproduction side change-over. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the disc reproduction side change-over detecting means (5) has means for computing the position of the pickup (2) from the amount of rotation of a feed motor (8) for transporting the pickup (2) radially of the disc (1), and the position of the pickup (2) detected by the computing means is shown on the screen of the display (33). An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the disc reproduction side change-over detecting means (5) has side data detecting means for reading out side data from the signal recording face of the disc (1), and means for judging the orientation of the disc (1) from the side data obtained by the side data detecting means, and when reproduction from the side specific to the disc (1) is to be followed by reproduction from the other side thereof irrespectively of the orientation of the disc (1), the control circuit (50) controls the display (33) based on the result obtained by the judging means so that the display (33) shows a definite direction of movement at all times.

Inventors: OKAMOTO, KAZUYUKI, YAGI, MASASHI
Applicants: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: G11B21
IPC codes: G11B19, G11B7, G11B33