Electrostatic latent image recording/reproducing device

Abstract: A device for recording information on a recording medium (2) as an electrostatic pattern includes a first electrode (Et) provided on a surface of the recording medium; a second electrode (E) provided on recording means (1); discharging projection means (Ep) formed over said second electrode for opposing the recording medium (IL); means developing a predetermined electric field between said first and second electrodes; means modulating said predetermined electric field correspondingly with the information by discharge caused between said discharging projection means and a surface of the recording medium.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a system according to the preamble of claim 1. JP-A-55-139643 discloses a device for recording and reproducing information on a recording medium comprising a recording medium consisting of an electric material film, a donductive substrate, a recording head opposing the recording medium, means for developing an electric field of the recording medium and a modulating means for modulating the electric field. From JP-A-60-29 985 a device for recording and reproducing information is known, wherein the track position on a recording medium is detected. The track consists of conductive grooves on a non-magnetic substrate. For recording and reproducing information a head with a pair of position sensing electrodes is used. By means of these electrodes the change of electrostatic capacity is detected differentially in the form of an error signal, wherein the electrostatic capacity is provided between the grooves and the electrodes. US 4 575 822 discloses a device for recording and reproducing information on a recording medium consisting of a substrate, a SiO-layer and a dielectric layer of SiN. From postpublished EP 0 327 236 A2 an image pick up apparatus is known comprising a charge storage member and a photo-charge conversion unit having a photoconductive layer with a transparent electrode, an electrode and means for applying an electric field between said transparent electrode and said electrode. When reading information, a probe is enclosed in the proximity of the recording medium. The spacing between the probe and the surface of the recording medium is varied while the probe and the substrate are based to establish a tunnel electron current. The presence of a stored data bit is determined by detecting the presence of an irregularity and the tunnel current as a function of the gap width between the probe and the recording medium. In one type of information recording and reproducing apparatuses, a recording laser beam is incident to a photoconductive layer via a transparent electrode, and a recording medium includes an electrode which cooperates with the transparent electrode to apply an electric field to the photoconductive layer. The recording medium also includes a layer holding charges which are generated in correspondence with the electric field in the photoconductive layer. The electric field in the photoconductive layer is modulated in accordance with the recording laser beam which carries information to be recorded, so that a charge pattern corresponding to the information is formed on the charge holding layer of the recording medium. The charge pattern is read out from the recording medium by sensing an electric field generated on the basis of the charge pattern. This type of previously-proposed information recording and reproducing apparatus has problems in the quality of recorded information and the recording density. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a first object of this invention to provide an excellent electrostatic latent image recording device. It is a second object of this invention to provide an excellent electrostatic latent image reproducing device. It is a third object of this invention to provide an excellent electrostatic latent image recording and reproducing device. This objects are achieved by the system according to claim 1. The invention is further developed by the features mentioned in the subclaims. Light is used in embodiments of this invention while this invention can use other electromagnetic radiation such as x-rays, gamma rays, or radio waves. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a recording medium and an electrostatic latent image reproducing device according to a first embodiment of this invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the recording medium of Fig. 10. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a recording medium and an electrostatic latent image reproducing device according to a second embodiment of this invention. Fig. 4 a diagram of an electrostatic latent image recording device according to an third embodiment of this invention. Fig. 5 is a diagram of an electrostatic latent image recording device according to a fourth embodiment of this invention. Fig. 6 a diagram of an electrostatic latent image recording device according to a fifth embodiment of this invention. Like and corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference characters throughout the drawings. DESCRIPTION OF THE FOURTH PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the embodiment of Fig. 4, a narrow beam of writing light WL is incident to a photoconductive layer PCL of the recording element 15. A dc power supply Vb is electrically connected between the transparent electrode Et of the recording element 15 and the electrode E of the recording medium 18 so that a predetermined parallel electric field is developed between the electrodes Et and E. The photoconductive layer PCL of the recording element 15 is exposed to the parallel electric field. The point of the photoconductive layer PCL which receives the narrow beam of the writing light WL is different from the remaining part of the photoconductive layer PCL in impedance. A discharge occurs between the impedance reduced point of the recording element 15 and a charge holding layer IL of the recording medium 18. The discharge reflects the impedance variation caused by the incident beam of light WL in the photoconductive layer PCL. Accordingly, charges are generated correspondingly with the intensity of the writing light WL and are held at a point of the charge holding layer IL which directly opposes the light-receiving point of the photoconductive layer PCL. When the narrow beam of the writing light WL of which the intensity is modulated according to the information to be recorded, is moved relative to the recording medium 18 so that the surface of the charge holding layer IL is two-dimensionally scanned, the information is thus recorded on the charge-holding layer IL as a two-dimensional charge latent image. With reference to Fig. 1, a reproducing element 13 functions to reproduce information of a charge latent image from a recording medium 14 by use of a narrow beam of reading light RL. The reproducing element 13 has a laminated structure composed of a transparent electrode Et and a photomodulation layer PML. The photomodulation layer PML opposes a charge holding layer IL of the recording medium 14. The photomodulation layer PML is separated from the charge holding layer IL by a predetermined distance. The charge holding layer IL is transparent or thin enough to allow the reading light RL passing therethrough and the electrode E is reflective to the reading light RL. The transparent electrode Et of the reproducing element 13 and the electrode E of the recording medium 14 are electrically connected to each other thus brought to a common potential such as a ground potential. After the narrow beam of the reading light RL passes through in succession the transparent electrode Et and the photomodulation layer PML of the reproducing element 6, thereafter the beam of the reading light RL enters the transparent charge holding layer IL and is reflected by the reflective electrode Et of the recording medium 14. Then, the beam of the reading light RL passes back through the charge holding layer IL of the recording medium 14 and travels through the photomodulation layer PML and the transparent electrode Et of the reproducing element 6. The photomodulation layer PML is exposed to the electric field dependent on the charge latent image on the charge holding layer IL of the recording medium 4. While the narrow beam of the reading light RL passes forward and backward through the photomodulation layer PML, the reading light RL is thus modulated in accordance with the field strength dependent on a point of the charge latent image which directly opposes the path of the narrow beam of the reading light RL in the photomodulation layer PML. Accordingly, the reading light RL carries a part of the information corresponding to the point hit by the reading light RL. When the narrow beam of the reading light RL is moved relative to the recording medium 14 so that the charge holding layer IL is two-dimensionally scanned by the beam of the reading light RL, the entire information corresponding to the scanned area, can be read out from the recording medium 4 with the reading light RL. After the reading light RL exits from the reproducing element 13, the reading light RL passes through a wave plate (not shown) and an analyzer (not shown) and then enters a photo detector (not shown). The reading light RL is converted by the photo detector into a corresponding electric signal. In the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2, disc shaped recording medium 14 is shown in cross section cut along the radius of the recording medium, and a pair of position sensing electrodes Ec1 and Ec2 are provided on a photomodulation layer PML of a reproducing-element 13 which opposes a disc-shaped recording medium 14 rotating about its center so that the reproducing element 13 moves circumferentially relative to the recording medium 14. The reproducing element 13 is movable radially as indicated by the double headed arrow for feeding and tracking, and also movable vertically relative to the recording medium 14 so that the distance between the reproducing element 13 and the recording medium 14 is controllable. A charge latent image is recorded along circumferential information recording tracks (image tracks) S1, S2, S3, .... Reference position signals are recorded along circumferential reference recording tracks tp1, tp2, tp3, ... which extend along the sides of the information recording tracks S1, S2, S3, .... The reference recording tracks tp1, tp2, tp3, ... are spaced at a predetermined equal pitch. It should be noted that, in Fig. 1, the reference recording tracks are denoted by the same character "tp". The position sensing electrodes Ec1 and Ec2 are separated from each other in a radial direction of the recording medium 14. The distance between the position sensing electrodes Ec1 and Ec2 is slightly greater than the pitch between adjacent reference recording tracks tp. For example, the position reference signals are recorded on the reference recording tracks tp simultaneously with the recording of the information on the information recording tracks. The reference recording tracks tp may be replaced by reference position electrodes made of electrically conductive material which extend along the sides of the information recording tracks. In this case, guard bands are provided between the reference position electrodes and the information recording tracks. When the reproducing element 13 assumes a correct tracking position with respect to an information recording track on the recording medium 14, the position sensing electrodes Ec1 and Ec2 and the reference recording tracks tp along the sides of the information recording track are in a symmetrical configuration so that substantially equal potentials are induced from the position sensing electrodes Ec1 and Ec2 respectively. As the reproducing element 13 offsets from the information recording track, the position sensing electrodes Ec1 and Ec2 and the reference recording tracks tp move out of the symmetrical configuration so that the potentials induced from the position sensing electrodes Ec1 and Ec2 become out of balance. A subtracter (not shown) detects the difference between the output voltages from the position sensing electrodes Ec1 and Ec2, generating a tracking error signal. While the reproducing element 13 is moved circumferentially relative to the recording medium 14, the radial position of the reproducing element 13 relative to the recording medium 14 is controlled in accordance with the tracking error signal so as to nullify the difference between the output voltages from the position sensing electrodes Ec1 and Ec2. This tracking control enables the reproducing element 13 to accurately follow the information recording track on the recording medium 14. An adder (not shown) adds the output voltages from the position sensing electrodes Ec1 and Ec2. A comparator (not shown) compares the output voltage from the adder with a reference voltage, generating an error signal depending on the distance between the reproducing element 13 and the recording medium 14. The distance is controlled in accordance with this error signal so that the distance between the reproducing element 13 and the recording medium 14 is maintained accurately. Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of this invention which is similar to the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2 except that the distance between position sensing electrodes Ec1 and Ec2 on a reproducing element 13 is slightly smaller than the pitch of adjacent information recording tracks on a recording medium 14. In the embodiment of Fig. 4. a position sensing electrode Ec is provided on a photoconductive layer PCL of a recording element 15. The position sensing electrode Ec is electrically connected to the gate of a field effect transistor FET. The drain of the transistor FET is connected to a power supply VDD. The source of the transistor FET is connected to a power supply Vss via a resistor 22, and is connected to a terminal 21. An actuator ACT mechanically connected to the recording element 15 functions to control the distance between the recording element 15 and a recording medium 18. An electrode E of the recording medium 18 is grounded. A signal potential induced at the position sensing electrode Ec depends on the distance between the recording element 15 and the recording medium 18. The signal potential is transmitted from the position sensing electrode Ec to the terminal 21 via the transistor FET. A comparator (not shown) compares the signal voltage at the terminal 21 with a reference voltage, generating a position error signal. The actuator ACT adjusts the position of the recording element 15 relative to the recording medium 18 in accordance with the position error signal so that the distance between the recording element 15 and the recording element 18 is maintained with a correct distance. Fig. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of this invention which is similar to the embodiment of Fig. 4 except for the following design changes. In the embodiment of Fig. 5, a recording element 16 has a transparent electrode Et and a position sensing electrode Ec mounted on the transparent electrode Et with an insulator therebetween. A recording medium 19 has a laminated structure of a photoconductive layer PCL and an electrode E. The recording element 16 opposes the photoconductive layer PCL of the recording medium 19. The photoconductive layer PCL holds an electrostatic latent image thereon in the dark room. Fig. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of this invention which is similar to the embodiment of Fig. 4 except for the following design changes. The embodiment of Fig. 6 includes two similar combinations each having a position sensing electrode Ec, a field effect transistor FET, a resistor 22, and a terminal 21. The output signals from the two combinations are used for generating a position error signal applied to an actuator ACT. A recording medium 20 is provided with position controlling electrodes Ed1 and Ed2 corresponding to the position sensing electrodes Ec of the recording element 17. The positive terminal of a dc power supply Vd is electrically connected to the position controlling electrodes Ed1 and Ed2. The negative terminal of the dc power supply Vd is electrically connected to the positive terminal of a dc power supply Vb. The negative terminal of the dc power supply Vb is electrically connected to the transparent electrode Et of the reading element 17. The position controlling electrodes Ed1 and Ed2 enable the induced potentials at the position sensing electrodes Ec to accurately and reliably represent the distance between the recording element 17 and the recording medium 20. It should be noted that a construction of the actuator ACT in Figs. 4 to 6 may be conventional one such as one usually found with an optical head in Compact Disc players. Whereas, tracking systems applicable to the embodiments of Figs. 4 to 6 may also be conventional, one of such is disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 4,331,976, "High Density Recording System using side-be-side Information and Serve Track" issued to the applicant of the present invention. Further, in all the embodiments, the wriging or reading light may not necessarily be a visible light, but it can be any kind of electromagnetic radiation beam to which the photoconductive layer PCL or the photomodulation layer PML is responsive. A device for recording information on a recording medium as an electrostatic pattern includes a first electrode provided on a surface of the recording medium; a second electrode provided on recording means; discharging projection means formed over said second electrode for opposing the recording medium; means developing a predetermined electric field between said first and second electrodes; means modulating said predetermined electric field correspondingly with the information by discharge caused between said discharging projection means and a surface of the recording medium.

Claims: A system for recording or reproducing an electrostatic latent image on or from a recording medium (14, 18, 19, 20) having a recording or reproducing element (15, 16, 17, 13) a) wherein the electrostatic latent image recording on a recording medium is done by converting an optical image into an electrostatic latent image with the help of a photoconductive layer (PCL), b) wherein reproducing is done by reconverting the electrostatic latent image on said recording medium through a photomodulation layer (PML), c) wherein said recording medium comprises a first electrode (E) provided on a surface of the recording medium and a charge holding layer (IL, PCL), d) wherein said recording or reproducing element comprises at least one sensing electrode (Ec1, Ec2, Ec) which opposes said recording medium at a small distance and a transparent second electrode (Et), and e) wherein a position of said recording or reproducing element is controlled in accordance with a potential of said sensing electrode. A system for recording or reproducing according to claim 1, further comprising: means developing a predetermined electric field between said first (E) and second electrodes (Et), and means modulating said predetermined electric field correspondingly with an information. A system for recording or reproducing according to claim 1, further comprising: writing beam means modulated with information to be recorded as the electrostatic latent image, being incident to said recording or reproducing element to activate said photoconductive layer (PCL), thereby a first electric field is modulated according to an information, generating said electrostatic latent image on an insulation layer (IL), reading beam means passing through said photomodulation layer (PML) being subjected to a second electric field of said electrostatic latent image on the insulation layer (IL), thereby said reading beam means is modulated according to the electrostatic latent image. A system for recording or reproducing according to claim 1, wherein said recording medium (14, 18, 19, 20) has an image track (S) and reference tracks (tp) recorded with position reference signals, which extend along both sides of the image track, said recording or reproducing element (13) opposing the reference tracks comprising a pair of position sensing electrodes (Ec1, Ec2) for generating a tracking error signal dependent on a position of the reproducing element (13) with respect to the reference tracks. A system for recording or reproducing according to claim 4, wherein the position sensing electrodes (Ec1, Ec2) are separated by a distance different from a pitch between two adjacent reference tracks. A system for recording or reproducing according to claim 1, wherein said sensing electrode (Ec1, Ec2, Ec) generates an error signal representative of a distance relative to the recording medium (14, 18, 19, 20); said system further comprising: means for controlling the distance relative to the recording medium (14, 18, 19, 20), thereby said distance between said recording or reproducing element and said recording medium (14, 18, 19, 20) is controlled to be maintained. A system for recording or reproducing according to claim 2, wherein said photoconductive layer (PCL) is disposed between said first and second electrodes (E, Et).

Inventors: ASAKURA TSUTOU, FURUYA MASATO, NAKAGAKI SHINTARO, SHINONAGA HIROHIKO, SUZUKI TETSUJI, TAKANASHI ITSUO, ASAKURA, TSUTOU, FURUYA, MASATO, NAKAGAKI, SHINTARO, SHINONAGA, HIROHIKO, SUZUKI, TETSUJI, TAKANASHI, ITSUO
Applicants: VICTOR COMPANY OF JAPAN, VICTOR COMPANY OF JAPAN, LIMITED
Application year: 1990
Main classification: G11B9
IPC codes: H04N1, G11B9, H04N5, G03G15, G11B11