Optical disk writer

Abstract

An optical disk writer is provided. The writer includes a disk drive capable of receiving an optical disk. The disk drive has a reclosable drawer and an arm that is configured to retrieve the optical disk from a first storage area. The arm is also configured to place the optical disk into the reclosable drawer. The arm is configured to remove the optical disk from said reclosable drawer and to place the optical disk at a second storage area. The arm is stationary with respect to rotation about an axis oriented in the vertical direction.

1 . An optical disk writer, comprising:
 a disk drive capable of receiving an optical disk;   a track member defining a track having a vertical portion, a horizontal portion and a curved portion intermediate said vertical portion and said horizontal portion; and   an arm configured to move the optical disk, wherein said arm is configured for movement along said vertical portion, said horizontal portion and said curved portion of said track.   
   
   
       2 . The optical disk writer as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said arm has a pick configured for holding the optical disk and for releasing the optical disk, and wherein the portion of said arm that includes said pick is configured to swivel with respect to said disk drive. 
   
   
       3 . The optical disk writer as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said track is a slot. 
   
   
       4 . The optical disk writer as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a magazine configured for holding a plurality of optical disks prior to being written onto by said disk drive; and   a spindle configured for holding a plurality of optical disks after being written onto by said disk drive, wherein one of said magazine and said spindle is located proximate to an end of said vertical portion of said track and wherein the other one of said magazine and said spindle is located proximate to an end of said horizontal portion of said track.   
   
   
       5 . The optical disk writer as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a gear configured for being rotated at least partially about an axis;   a bracket attached to said gear; and   a sliding member in sliding engagement with said bracket and attached to said arm, wherein rotation of said gear causes said arm to be moved along said track.   
   
   
       6 . The optical disk writer as set forth in  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a motor; and   a pinion driven by said motor;   wherein said gear has internal teeth that mesh with said pinion such that when said motor drives said pinion, said pinion drives said internal teeth to rotate said gear at least partially about said axis.   
   
   
       7 . The optical disk writer as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said gear has a plurality of spaced projections located along at least a portion of an outer perimeter of said gear, and further comprising a sensor for sensing movement of said spaced projections for use in determining the location of said arm along said track. 
   
   
       8 . The optical disk writer as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said arm has a rod and a roller disposed through said track, and wherein said roller surrounds at least a portion of said rod and is configured to rotate with respect to said rod. 
   
   
       9 . The optical disk writer as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said track member has a planar face through which said vertical portion, said horizontal portion and said curved portion are defined such that said vertical portion, said horizontal portion and said curved portion are oriented in the same plane. 
   
   
       10 . The optical disk writer as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said arm is stationary with respect to rotation about an axis oriented in the vertical direction. 
   
   
       11 . An optical disk writer, comprising:
 a disk drive capable of receiving an optical disk, wherein said disk drive has a reclosable drawer; and   an arm configured to retrieve the optical disk from a first storage area and to place the optical disk into said reclosable drawer of said disk drive, wherein said arm is configured to remove the optical disk from said reclosable drawer of said disk drive and place the optical disk at a second storage area, wherein said arm is stationary with respect to rotation about an axis oriented in the vertical direction.   
   
   
       12 . The optical disk writer as set forth in  claim 11 , further comprising a track member defining a track in the shape of a slot having a vertical portion, a horizontal portion and a curved portion intermediate said vertical portion and said horizontal portion, wherein said arm is configured for movement along said vertical portion, said horizontal portion and said curved portion of said track. 
   
   
       13 . The optical disk writer as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said arm has a rod and a roller disposed through said track, and wherein said roller surrounds at least a portion of said rod and is configured to rotate with respect to said rod. 
   
   
       14 . The optical disk writer as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said track member has a planar face through which said vertical portion, said horizontal portion and said curved portion are defined such that said vertical portion, said horizontal portion and said curved portion are oriented in the same plane. 
   
   
       15 . The optical disk writer as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said arm has a pick configured for holding the optical disk and for releasing the optical disk, and wherein the portion of said arm that includes said pick is configured to rotate at least partially around an axis oriented in the horizontal direction. 
   
   
       16 . The optical disk writer as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said first storage area is a magazine configured for holding a plurality of optical disks prior to being placed into said reclosable drawer of said disk drive, and wherein said second storage area is a spindle configured for holding a plurality of optical disks after being removed from said reclosable drawer of said disk drive. 
   
   
       17 . The optical disk writer as set forth in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a gear configured for being rotated at least partially about an axis;   a bracket attached to said gear; and   a sliding member in sliding engagement with said bracket and attached to said arm, wherein rotation of said gear causes said arm to be moved along said track.   
   
   
       18 . The optical disk writer as set forth in  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a motor; and   a pinion driven by said motor;   wherein said gear has internal teeth that mesh with said pinion such that when said motor drives said pinion, said pinion drives said internal teeth to rotate said gear at least partially about said axis of said gear.   
   
   
       19 . The optical disk writer as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein said gear has a plurality of spaced projections located along at least a portion of an outer perimeter of said gear, and further comprising a sensor for sensing movement of said spaced projections for use in determining the location of said arm. 
   
   
       20 . An optical disk writer, comprising:
 a motor;   a pinion driven by said motor;   a gear in communication with said pinion and configured for being at least partially rotated;   a sliding member carried by said gear and configured for moving linearly with respect to said gear;   an arm attached to said sliding member, wherein said arm is configured to move an optical disk, wherein said arm is stationary with respect to rotation about an axis oriented in the vertical direction, and wherein at least a portion of said arm is configured to rotate at least partially around an axis oriented in the horizontal direction; and   a track member defining a track that is a slot having a vertical portion, a horizontal portion and a curved portion intermediate said vertical portion and said horizontal portion, wherein said arm is disposed through said track and moves along said vertical portion, said horizontal portion and said curved portion of said track when moved by said sliding member.