COMPATIBLE OPTICAL SCANNING DEVICE Russian patent published in 1997 - IPC

FIELD: optical information recorders. SUBSTANCE: light source generates beam of first-type wavelength . Said beam follows central line of track as either scanning or reading spot (track is located on first-type record carrier to be read by this wavelength). When second-type record carrier is to be read, reading beam follows edge of reading track instead of its center. This results in possibility of generation of acceptable information signal during scanning of record carriers of both first and second types. EFFECT: increased functional capabilities. 10 cl, 11 dwg