Recording and simultaneously reading information recorded on a moveable optical recording medium by adjusting the relative position of first and second beam paths

Abstract

Apparatus for simultaneously recording and reading information on a medium moveable in forward and reverse directions includes a first record laser and means for establishing a first beam path for recording information on the moveable medium and a second read laser and at least one read-out detector and means for establishing a beam path so that the light from the second laser illuminates the medium and is reflected to the detector which reads recorded information. The apparatus further adjusts the relative position of the first and second laser beam paths so that, in a first position, when the medium is moving in the forward direction, the first and second laser paths are arranged in close proximity so that the detector reads information which was just previously recorded by the record laser and that, in the second position, when the medium is moving in the reverse direction, the first and second laser paths are arranged in close proximity so that the detector reads information which was just previously recorded by the record laser.