Optical disk driver and operational processing apparatus having such optical disk driver

Abstract

An optical disk driver using a top-loading mechanism is coupled to an operational processor, such as a personal computer. The term “a top-loading mechanism” means a mechanism for inserting and/or ejecting an optical disk via a top surface of the optical disk driver. Additionally, a display unit used for the operational processor can be located on an operational processing apparatus comprising such an optical disk driver and an operational processor. The optical disk driver includes a first case ( 12 ), accommodated in a housing ( 10 a) having the operational processor therein, a second case ( 11 ); movable from a first position to a second position, the second case ( 11 ) projecting from the first case ( 12 ) so that an optical disk can be inserted and/or ejected via a top surface of the second case ( 11 ) when the second case being located at the first position, the second case being accommodated in the first case to be operatively connected to the operational processor when the second case ( 11 ) being located at the second position.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An optical disk driver comprising: 
       a first case, accommodated in a housing which includes therein an operational processor operatively connected to said first case, said housing having a mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing and ejected therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening having a shape corresponding to the mouth, there being an aperture between the first case and the mouth;  
       a second case, movable from a first position to a second position, said second case projecting from the first case so that an optical disk can be inserted and ejected via a top surface of said second case when said second case is located at the first position, said second case being operatively connected to the operational processor via said first case when said second case is located at the second position, said second case being inserted into said first case and projected therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case, said second case having a lid at a top surface thereof, the lid opening when said second case is located at the first position so that the optical disk can be inserted into said second case and ejected therefrom, and the lid being closed when said second case is located at the second position;  
       driving means for driving the optical disk inserted into said second case;  
       moving means for moving said second case from the second position to the first position;  
       opening means for opening the lid;  
       lock means for locking the lid in order to keep the lid closed; and  
       lock release means coupled to said lock means for releasing the lock of said lock means, said lock release means releasing the lock of said lock means, and the opening means opening the lid in response to the movement of said second case from the second position to the first position,  
       wherein said first case comprises:  
       a pair of positioning members, oppositely located around the insertion opening, which are respectively inserted into a part of the aperture in order to position the insertion opening of the first case at substantially the center of the mouth when said first case is inserted into the housing, and  
       fixing means for removably fixing the second case in the first case when the second case is located at the second position, and  
       wherein said lock means further comprises:  
       a hook provided on the lid;  
       a hook lever, mounted on said second case, engageable with the hook when the lid is closed; and  
       a spring, mounted on said second case, which forces the hook lever in a direction in which the hook lever engages with the hook, the lid being kept closed while the hook and the hook lever are engaged with each other, and  
       wherein said lock release means further comprises:  
       a connection member connected to the hook lever;  
       moving detection means for detecting whether or not said second case has moved to approximately the first position; and  
       engagement release means for forcing the connecting member in a direction such that the hook is released from being engaged with the hook lever when the moving detection means detects that said second case has moved to approximately the first position.  
     
     
       2. An optical disk driver comprising: 
       a first case, accommodated in a housing which includes therein an operational processor operatively connected to said first case, said housing having a mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing and ejected therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening having a shape corresponding to the mouth, there being an aperture between the first case and the mouth;  
       a second case, movable from a first position to a second position, said second case projecting from the first case so that an optical disk can be inserted and ejected via a top surface of said second case when said second case is located at the first position, said second case being operatively connected to the operational processor via said first case when said second case is located at the second position, said second case being inserted into said first case and projected therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case, said second case having a lid at the top surface of said second case, the lid opening when said second case is located at the first position so that the optical disk can be inserted into said second case and ejected therefrom, and the lid being closed when said second case is located at the second position;  
       driving means for driving the optical disk inserted into said second case;  
       moving means for moving said second case from the second position to the first position;  
       opening means for opening the lid;  
       lock means for locking the lid in order to keep the lid closed; and  
       lock release means coupled to said lock means for releasing the lock of said lock means, said lock release means releasing the lock of said lock means, and the opening means opening the lid in response to the movement of said second case from the second position to the first position,  
       wherein said first case comprises:  
       a pair of positioning members, oppositely located around the insertion opening, which are respectively inserted into a part of the aperture in order to position the insertion opening of the first case at substantially the center of the mouth when said first case is inserted into the housing, and  
       fixing means for removably fixing the second case in the first case when the second case is located at the second position, and  
       wherein said lock means further comprises:  
       a hook provided on the lid;  
       a hook lever, mounted on said second case, engagable with the hook when the lid is closed; and  
       a spring, mounted on said second case, which forces the hook lever in a direction in which the hook lever engages with the hook, the lid being kept closed while the hook and the hook lever are engaged with each other, and  
       wherein said lock release means further comprises:  
       a connection member connected with the hook lever;  
       moving detection means for detecting whether or not said second case has moved to approximately the first position; and  
       engagement release means for forcing the connection member in a direction such that the hook is released from being engaged with the hook lever when the moving detection means detects that said second case has moved to approximately the first position, and  
       wherein the moving detection means further comprises:  
       a projection, projecting in the vicinity of the insertion opening of said first case; and  
       an engagement member, located in the vicinity of an edge of said second case, engagable with the projection when said second case is approximately moved to the first position, the engagement release means operatively connecting the engagement member to the connection member, and the engagement release means moving the engagement member to move the connection member in the direction that releases the hook from engagement with the hook lever when the engagement member is engaged with the projection.  
     
     
       3. An optical disk driver comprising: 
       a first case, accommodated in a housing which includes therein an operational processor operatively connected to said first case, said housing having a mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing and ejected therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening having a shape corresponding to the mouth, there being an aperture between the first case and the mouth;  
       a second case, movable from a first position to a second position, said second case projecting from the first case so that an optical disk can be inserted and ejected via a top surface of said second case when said second case is located at the first position, said second case being operatively connected to the operational processor via said first case when said second case is located at the second position, said second case being inserted into said first case and projected therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case, said second case comprising a lid at the top surface thereof, the lid opening when said second case is located at the first position so that the optical disk can be inserted into said second case and ejected therefrom, and the lid being closed when said second case is located at the second position;  
       driving means for driving the optical disk inserted into said second case; and  
       closing means operable when said second case is moved from the first position to the second position with the lid open, said closing means closing the lid softly, in synchronization with the movement of said second case,  
       wherein said first case comprises:  
       a pair of positioning members, oppositely located around the insertion opening, which are respectively inserted into a part of the aperture in order to position the insertion opening of said first case at substantially the center of the mouth when said first case is inserted into the housing, and  
       fixing means for removably fixing the second case in the first case when the second case is located at the second position.  
     
     
       4. An optical disk driver comprising: 
       a first case, accommodated in a housing which includes therein an operational processor operatively connected to said first case, said housing having a mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing and ejected therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening having a shape corresponding to the mouth, there being an aperture between the first case and the mouth;  
       a second case, movable from a first position to a second position, said second case projecting from the first case so that an optical disk can be inserted and ejected via a top surface of said second case when said second case is located at the first position, said second case being operatively connected to the operational processor, via said first case, when said second case is located at the second position, said second case being inserted into said first case and projected therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case, said second case comprising a lid at the top surface thereof, the lid opening when said second case is located at the first position so that the optical disk can be inserted into said second case and ejected therefrom, and the lid being closed when said second case is located at the second position;  
       driving means for driving the optical disk inserted into said second case; and  
       closing means operable when said second case is moved from the first position to the second position with the lid open, said closing means closing the lid softly in synchronization with the movement of said second case,  
       wherein said first case comprises:  
       a pair of positioning members, oppositely located around the insertion opening, which are respectively inserted into a part of the aperture in order to position the insertion opening of the first case at substantially the center of the mouth when said first case is inserted into the housing, and  
       fixing means for removably fixing the second case in the first case when the second case is located at the second position, and  
       wherein said closing means further comprises:  
       roller means located in the vicinity of the insertion opening of said first case; and  
       an engagement part, engagable with the roller means, provided on the lid, the lid gradually being closed by the engagement of the roller means with the engagement part of the lid as said second case moves from the first position to the second position.  
     
     
       5. An optical disk driver comprising: 
       a first case, accommodated in a housing which includes therein an operational processor operatively connected to said first case, said housing having a mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing and ejected therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening having a shape corresponding to the mouth, there being an aperture between the first case and the mouth;  
       a second case, movable from a first position to a second position, said second case projecting from the first case so that an optical disk can be inserted and ejected via a top surface of said second case when said second case is located at the first position, said second case being operatively connected to the operational processor, via said first case, when said second case is located at the second position, said second case being inserted into said first case and projected therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case, said second case comprising a lid at the top surface thereof, the lid opening when said second case is located at the first position so that the optical disk can be inserted into said second case and ejected therefrom, and the lid being closed when said second case is located at the second position;  
       driving means for driving the optical disk inserted into said second case; and  
       closing means operable when said second case is moved from the first position to the second position with the lid open, said closing means closing the lid softly in synchronization with the movement of said second case,  
       wherein said first case comprises:  
       a pair of positioning members, oppositely located around the insertion opening, which are respectively inserted into a part of the aperture in order to position the insertion opening of the first case at substantially the center of the mouth when said first case is inserted into the housing, and  
       fixing means for removably fixing the second case in the first case when the second case is located at the second position, and  
       wherein said closing means further comprises:  
       a bearing located in the vicinity of the insertion opening; and  
       an engagement part engagable with the bearing, provided on the lid, the lid gradually being closed by the engagement of the bearing with the engagement part of the lid as said second case is moved from the first position to the second position.  
     
     
       6. An optical disk driver comprising: 
       first case, accommodated in a housing which includes therein an operational processor operatively connected to said first case, said housing having a mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing and ejected therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening having a shape corresponding to the mouth, an aperture existing between the first case and the mouth;  
       a second case, movable from a first position to a second position, said second case projecting from the first case so that an optical disk can be inserted and ejected via a top surface of said second case when said second case is located at the first position, said second case being operatively connected to the operational processor via said first case when said second case is located at the second position, and said second case being inserted into said first case and projected therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case; and  
       driving means for driving the optical disk inserted into said second case,  
       wherein said first case comprises:  
       a pair of positioning members, oppositely located around the insertion opening, which are respectively inserted into a part of the aperture to position the insertion opening of the first case at substantially the center of the mouth when said first case is inserted into the housing, and  
       fixing means for removably fixing the second case in the first case when the second case is located at the second position, and  
       wherein said second case comprises a lid openable and closeable at the top surface of said second case, the lid opening when said second case is located at the first position so that the optical disk can be inserted into said second case and ejected therefrom, and the lid being closed when said second case is located at the second position.  
     
     
       7. An optical disk driver according to  claim 6 , wherein said fixing means comprises a magnet provided in said first case, which magnet magnetically fixes said second case when the second case is located at the second position. 
     
     
       8. An optical disk driver according to  claim 7 , wherein said first case further comprises a latch mechanism operatively connected to the magnet, the magnet being released from being fixed by the latch mechanism when said second case is pushed from the first direction to the second direction so that said second case can be moved from the second position to the first position. 
     
     
       9. An optical disk drive according to  claim 6 , wherein the mouth and the insertion opening respectively have rectangular shapes, and wherein the positioning members have identical square pillar shapes, and are located adjacent to a first side of the insertion opening and a second side thereof opposite to the first side. 
     
     
       10. An optical disk driver comprising: 
       
         a first case accommodated in a housing which includes therein an operational processor operatively connected to said first case, said housing having a mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing and removed therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening having a shape corresponding to the mouth, an aperture existing between the insertion opening and the mouth;  
       
       
         a second case, movable between a first position and a second position, said second case projecting from the first case so that an optical disk can be inserted and ejected via a top surface of said second case when said second case is located at the first position, said second case being operatively connected to the operational processor via said first case when said second case is located at the second position, and said second case being inserted into said first case and projected therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case; and  
       
       
         driving means for driving the optical disk inserted into said second case, wherein said first case comprises: a pair of positioning members provided oppositely around the first case, which are respectively inserted into a part of the aperture to position the insertion opening of the first case at substantially the center of the mouth when said first case is inserted into the housing, and  
       
       
         fixing means for removably fixing the second case in the first case when the second case is located at the second position, and wherein said second case comprises a lid openable and closeable at the top surface of said second case, the lid opening when said second case is located at the first position so that the optical disk can be inserted into said second case and ejected therefrom, and the lid being closed when said second case is located at the second position. 
       
     
     
       11. An optical disk driver comprising: 
       
         a first case accommodated in a housing which includes therein an operational processor operatively connected to said first case, said housing having a mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing and removed therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening having a shape corresponding to the mouth, an aperture existing between the insertion opening and the mouth;  
       
       
         a second case, movable between a first position and a second position, said second case projecting from the first case so that an optical disk can be inserted and ejected via a top surface of said second case when said second case is located at the first position, said second case being operatively connected to the operational processor via said first case when said second case is located at the second position, and said second case being inserted into said first case and projected therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case; and  
       
       
         driving means for driving the optical disk inserted into said second case, wherein said first case comprises:  
       
       
         a pair of positioning members provided oppositely around the first case which are respectively inserted into a part of the aperture to position the insertion opening of the first case at substantially the center of the mouth when said first case is inserted into the housing, and  
       
       
         fixing means for removably fixing the second case in the first case when the second case is located at the second position, and wherein said second case comprises a disk holding means such that the optical disk is held by the disk holding means in the first position of the second case so that the optical disk can be inserted into said second case and removed therefrom. 
       
     
     
       12. An optical disk driver comprising: 
       
         a first case accommodated in a housing which includes therein an operational processor operatively connected to said first case, said housing having a mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing and removed therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening having a shape corresponding to the mouth, an aperture existing between the insertion opening and the mouth;  
       
       
         a second case, movable between a first position and a second position, said second case projecting from the first case so that an optical disk can be inserted and ejected via a top surface of said second case when said second case is located at the first position, said second case being operatively connected to the operational processor via said first case when said second case is located at the second position, and said second case being inserted into said first case and projected therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case; and  
       
       
         driving means for driving the optical disk inserted into said second case, wherein said first case comprises:  
       
       
         a pair of positioning members provided oppositely located around the first case, which are respectively inserted into a part of the aperture to position the insertion opening of the first case at substantially the center of the mouth when said first case is inserted into the housing, and  
       
       
         fixing means for removably fixing the second case in the first case when the second case is located at the second position, and wherein the second case comprises a disk holding means associated with the top surface of said second case, the disk holding means capable of receiving and maintaining the optical disk in a predetermined position when the second case is located at the first position such that the optical disk can be inserted into said second case and held by said disk holding means and then ejected therefrom by release of the disk holding means in the first position. 
       
     
     
       13. An optical disk driver comprising: 
       
         a first case accommodated in a housing which includes therein an operational processor operatively connected to said first case, said housing having a mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing and removed therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening having a shape corresponding to the mouth, an aperture existing between the insertion opening and the mouth;  
       
       
         a second case, movable between a first position and a second position, said second case projecting from the first case so that an optical disk can be inserted and ejected via a top surface of said second case when said second case is located at the first position, said second case being operatively connected to the operational processor via said first case when said second case is located at the second position, and said second case being inserted into said first case and projected therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case; and  
       
       
         driving means for driving the optical disk inserted into said second case, wherein said insertion opening comprises:  
       
       
         a pair of positioning members provided oppositely around the first case, which are respectively inserted into a part of the aperture to position the insertion opening of the first case at substantially the center of the mouth when said first case is inserted into the housing, and  
       
       
         fixing means for removably fixing the second case in the first case when the second case is located at the second position, and  
       
       
         a disk holding means associated with the top surface of said second case wherein said disk holding means holds the optical disk in a fixed position when said second case is in the first position and allows the optical disk to be moved from the first position to the second position without interference from the first case. 
       
     
     
       14. An optical disk driver comprising: 
       
         a first case accommodated in a housing which includes therein an operational processor operatively connected to said first case, said housing having a mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing and removed therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening having a shape corresponding to the mouth, an aperture existing between the first case and the mouth;  
       
       
         a second case, movable from a first position to a second position, said second case projecting from the first case so that an optical disk can be inserted and ejected via a top surface of said second case when said second case is located at the first position, said second case being operatively connected to the operational processor via said first case when said second case is located at the second position, and said second case being inserted into said first case and projected therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case; and  
       
       
         driving means for driving the optical disk inserted into said second case, wherein said first case comprises:  
       
       
         a pair of positioning members, oppositely located around the insertion opening, which are respectively inserted into a part of the aperture to position the insertion opening of the first case at substantially the center of the mouth when said first case is inserted into the housing, and  
       
       
         fixing means for removably fixing the second case in the first case when the second case is located at the second position, and wherein said second case comprises a lid openable and closeable at the top surface of said second case, the lid opening when said second case is located at the first position so that the optical disk can be inserted into said second case and ejected therefrom, and the lid being closed when said second case is located at the second position wherein the openable position of the lid defines a location of the second case that provides access to position the disk on the second case and the closeable position of the lid defines a location of the second case in which the disk is inaccessible to prevent removal of the optical disk from the second case. 
       
     
     
       15. An optical disk driver comprising: 
       
         a first case accommodated in a housing which includes therein an operational processor operatively connected to said first case, said housing having a mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing and removed therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening having a shape corresponding to the mouth, an aperture existing between the insertion opening and the mouth;  
       
       
         a second case, movable between a first position and a second position, said second case projecting from the first case so that an optical disk can be inserted and ejected via a top surface of said second case when said second case is located at the first position, said second case being operatively connected to the operational processor via said first case when said second case is located at the second position, and said second case being inserted into said first case and projected therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case; and  
       
       
         driving means for driving the optical disk inserted into said second case, wherein said first case comprises:  
       
       
         a pair of positioning members provided oppositely around the first case, which are respectively inserted into a part of the aperture to position the insertion opening of the first case at substantially the center of the mouth when said first case is inserted into the housing, and  
       
       
         fixing means for removably fixing the second case in the first case when the second case is located at the second position, and wherein said second case comprises a disk holding means provided on a top surface of said second case so as to be movable between a first position and a second position, in which the disk holding means is moved from the first position to the second position when the optical disk is held by the disk holding means at the first position of the second case, and the disk holding means holding the optical disk is being kept in its first position when the second case is located at the second position thereof. 
       
     
     
       16. An optical disk driver comprising: 
       
         a first case accommodated in a housing which includes therein an operational processor operatively connected to said first case, said housing having a mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing and removed therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening having a shape corresponding to the mouth, an aperture existing between the insertion opening and the mouth;  
       
       
         a second case, movable between a first position and a second position, said second case projecting from the first case so that an optical disk can be inserted and ejected via a top surface of said second case when said second case is located at the first position, said second case being operatively connected to the operational processor via said first case when said second case is located at the second position, and said second cage being inserted into said first case and projected therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case; and  
       
       
         driving means for driving the optical disk inserted into said second case, wherein said first case comprises:  
       
       
         a pair of positioning members provided oppositely around the first case, which are respectively inserted into a part of the aperture to position the insertion opening of the first case at substantially the center of the mouth when said first case is inserted into the housing, and  
       
       
         fixing means for removably fixing the second case in the first case when the second case is located at the second position, and wherein said second case comprises a disk holding means movable between a first position and a second position in which the disk holding means is adapted to be moved from the first position to the second position for holding the inserted optical disk at the first position of the second case, and the disk holding means is adapted to be moved from the second position to the first position for removing or ejecting the optical disk at the first position of the second case, and wherein the disk holding means holding the optical disk is being kept in its first position when the second case is located at the second position thereof.