Abstract: A portable compact device for use with an external device. The portable compact device includes an interface circuit for providing an interface between an external device and the portable compact device. A data memory circuit stores data received by the interface circuit. A control circuit coupled to the data memory circuit processes data stored in the data memory circuit in accordance with a stored data structure. A data modifying circuit is coupled to the data memory circuit for modifying the stored data. A data structure initializing circuit insures that the structure of the stored data in the data memory circuit allows the control circuit to process the stored data.

Abstract: A floppy disk drive system for double-sided recording and playback having first and second heads positioned to hold a disk therebetween is provided. The first and second heads each have a read/write gap and each have a contacting plane for contacting the disk. Each such contacting plane has an inner edge position toward the center of the disk and an outer edge positioned toward the outer circumference of the disk. The gap of the first head is closer to the outer circumference of the disk than the gap of the second head when the heads are assembled in facing relation. The distance between the center of the inner edge of the contacting plane of the first head and the center of the read/write gap of the second head is about 0.6 mm or less. The contacting plane of the second head may be larger than that of the first head, said enlargement being in the direction of the inner circumference of the disk. At least one of the heads may have the two inner corners thereof chamfered by about C 0.

Abstract: 2-phenylpyridine derivatives represented by the general formula: ##STR1## wherein when Y is R--, Z is one of R--, RO--, ##STR2## when Y is RO--, Z is one of straight chain pentyl, ##STR3## and when Y is one of Z is one of R--, RO-- and --CN; when Y is --CN, Z is one of RO--, ##STR4## and R is a straight chain alkyl group from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, are disclosed. The 2-phenylpyridine derivatives in accordance with the invention are particularly well-suited for use in nematic liquid crystal compositions for reducing the steepness and response time of the liquid crystal compositions in a liquid crystal display device.

Abstract: A printer with a main body having a printing head, motors, a plurality of circuits driving the printing head and the motors, a processor and a random access memory. The printer also includes a cartridge for containing memory devices for storing the data for at least one character font set and for storing the printing operation control program. A connector removably connects the cartridge mechanically and electrically to the main body of the printer. As a result, the print operation control program and character font set data can be selectively set by connecting an appropriate cartridge to the main body of the printer.

Abstract: A disc drive for a disc including a disc rotating apparatus comprising a rotating shaft for being received within a first aperture of the disc. A spindle is affixed to the shaft. The spindle has a surface disposed in a plane perpendicular to the shaft, for supporting the disc. The disc drive includes a position controlling member received in a second aperture of the disc, a rigid member for controlling the position of the position controlling member, and a biasing member for urging the rigid member in at least one direction so that the position controlling member engages the disc. A centering force to center the disc on the disc rotating apparatus is produced due to the action of the position controlling member on the disc. The biasing member may be configured so as to act upon the rigid member in an additional direction to produce an additional centering force component when the position controlling member engages the disc, thus urging sides of the first aperture of the disc against the rotating shaft.

Abstract: A magneto-optical signal read-out system for a magneto-optical player in which the polarized plane of linearly polarized incident light is rotated when the incident light is reflected by or passes through a magneto-optical medium having tracks thereon and the rotation angle of the polarized plane is utilized as an information signal. The read-out system includes a first analyzer, a second analyzer and a photo detector divided into first and second photo detector sections. A differential amplifier receives output signals from the first and second photo detector sections and produces a detected signal representative of the difference between the first and second output signals to reduce in-phase noise in the detected signal.

Abstract: An imprinting apparatus having application means for applying thermal energy to a recording portion of thermoplastic magnetic ink and generation means for simultaneously generating magnetic attraction force in the ink is provided. The recording portion of the ink is transferred to a transfer medium by the magnetic attraction force while the application of thermal energy is controlled. The ink and the transfer medium do not come into contact with each other in a non-recording portion of the ink. An ink medium having a support layer and a thermoplastic magnetic ink layer for use with the imprinting apparatus of the invention is also provided.

Abstract: A carriage movement device for a magnetic memory device having a carriage with a first end and a second end, the carriage being slidably supported on a rod is provided. The carriage movement device has a capstan which is angularly rotated by a driver and a belt having an elongated slot extending form a portion of the belt having the second width, the slot being at least as wide as the first end wrapping around the capstan. A first belt connector connects the first end of the belt to the first end of the carriage. A second belt connector connects the second end of the belt to the second end of the carriage. The second end of the belt is affixed to a second belt connector which is selectively engaged to the second end of the carriage by stretching the belt about the carriage and or deflecting an elastic projection formed on the carriage. The angular rotation of the capstan is accurately converted into linear movement of the carriage.

Abstract: A connection apparatus for connecting a first face of a first electrical device to a second face of a second electrical device. First and second hooks are coupled in spaced relation to the first face of the first electrical device. A pivot member, in facing relation to the first hook, is coupled to the second face of the second electrical device for releasably engaging with the first hook. The second electrical device is pivotable about the engagement of the first hook and the pivot member between a proximate position where the second hook is proximate to the second face of the second electrical device and a spaced position where the second hook is spaced apart from the second face of the second electrical device. A locking apparatus is displaceably mounted on the second face of the second electrical device for releasably engaging with the second hook in a first position and disengaging with the second hook in a second position.

Abstract: An objective lens actuator for an optical head. The objective lens has an optical axis. A first movable portion is adapted to move the objective lens in the focusing direction along the optical axis. The first movable portion includes an objective lens holder with a piston projecting from the objective lens in the direction of the optical axis. The objective lens holder secures the objective lens on the optical axis and supports a rectangular focusing coil and a four component tracking coil. A second movable portion is adapted to move the objective lens in a tracking direction, essentially perpendicular to the focusing direction and includes a guide hole shaped to slidably receive the first movable portion therein and to restrict movement of the first movable portion relative to the second movable portion to motion substantially along the focusing direction. A magnetic circuit drives the first and second movable portions in the focusing and tracking directions, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in an active matrix liquid crystal display device of the type including non-linear elements, for the application of an ON pulse-width modulation signal by the data line driving circuit at the rearward end of each selected period, during which the voltage corresponding to the duty-cycle of the selected signal is applied to the liquid crystal layer. The result is accurate reproduction of gray-scale images in the display under conditions of high duty-cycle driving. Further, cross-talk between columns caused by the data signal is controlled by supplying a signal voltage which eliminates the residual charges in the liquid crystal layer at the end of each selected period.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording head formed from a base and a vibrating plate attached to the base with the surfaces therebetween defining a plurality of ink passageways terminating in a nozzle at one end of the head is provided. The base and the plate are both formed from a synthetic resin with the surfaces activated by a surface treatment to increase the polar groups and unsaturated bonds to increase the wetting property. Surface treatment includes treating with a K.sub.2 Cr.sub.2 O.sub.7 --H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 or H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 --SO.sub.3 solution, SO.sub.3 gas, ultraviolet rays, plasma, corona discharge, electron beam, or flame. A process for making the head is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-color liquid crystal display includes liquid crystal micro-shutters which open and close filters arranged as dots in a mosaic or stripe pattern. Fine and clear color image display and color graphic display are realized in the device wherein the filters are within the LCD panel, being formed on one substrate and covered by the driving electrode. The circuitry for driving the display includes a driving circuit for receiving three primary color signals, and a color selection circuit for selecting sequentially for input to the driving circuit each one of the three primary color signals. The color selection circuit selects the three primary colors only once per horizontal scan of the picture elements. The circuitry for driving the display also includes an element selecting circuit for selecting the picture elements in sequence. The driving circuit applies selected color signals from the color selection circuit to driving electrodes of a corresponding color in the selected picture element.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel including at least one transparent plate formed of plastic material including a barrier coating layer for reducing permeability of the resin plate to air and/or water vapor is provided. A transparent electrode is formed on the inner surface of the transparent plate. Transparent resin plates are desirable as they are optically clear for producing a clear display, light weight and sufficiently flexible to impart impact resistance to the display panel.

Abstract: A printer and in particular a printer adapted for use with a thermal print head is provided. The printer includes a power transmission which controls two clutches with a single electromagnetic driving unit. A clutch of a power transmission is initialized without the use of a detector by dividing the perimeter of the clutch into N equal rotating angles each equal rotating angle being further subdivided into a large rotating angle and a small rotating angle in combination with a preselected energization period for an electromagnetic control member which assures the initialization of the clutch in a desired position. The clutch is advanced one position by a second energization period of the electromagnetic control member. The carriage mover of the printer allows the carriage to reciprocate in response to forward and backward rotation of a shifting shaft and at at least one end of the range of motion of the carriage the shifting shaft can continue to freely rotate even though the carriage cannot.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrothermal printing using an ink film which has a layer of fusible ink on a resistive layer. The resistive layer is contact by a plurality of stylus electrodes which are formed on an insulating substrate. A potential difference applied to pairs of adjacent electrodes heats the resistive layer, allowing fusible ink to be transferred to a transfer sheet to form picture elements. A plurality of picture elements can be produced simultaneously by dividing the styluses into N groups, represented as N.times.J+1, N.times.J+2, etc., where J is 0, 2, 3, . . . , and N is an odd number greater than 3. The groups are printed, one after the other, by energizing styluses which correspond to the picture elements to form a picture.

Abstract: A method and circuits for multiplex driving of a multielement liquid crystal display device having a ferroelectric liquid crystal therein. The method includes the step of applying at least one selecting electric field pulse having an amplitude which exceeds a threshold value of optical response of the ferroelectric liquid crystal to each element during a selecting term. It further includes the step of applying at least one non-selecting electric field pulse having an amplitude which is no greater than threshold value to each element at a time other than the selecting term. The optical response of the ferroelectric liquid crystal is determined in accordance with waveforms of the selecting and non-selecting pulses. According to the invention the duration of the non-selecting pulses is much smaller than the time between selecting terms. The width of the non-selecting pulses is minimized.

Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus for a printer. There are at least two mounting members, each of which is adapted to contain sheets of paper. A paper feeding assembly is associated with each of the mounting members and contacts the paper in the mounting member for feeding single sheets of paper. A paper feed gear is operatively coupled to each of the paper feeding assemblies for co-rotation therewith. A sun gear is present proximate each of the paper feeding gears and each is rotatable about a center point. A transmission mechanism transmits rotational power in first and second directions from a paper feed motor in the printer to each of the sun gears. The first and second directions are opposite to one another. A selector member is associated with each of the paper feed assemblies and has a planet gear on a first arm and a protrusion on a second arm. The selector member is rotatable about the center point of the corresponding sun gear. The planet gear engages with the corresponding sun gear.

Abstract: 2-phenylpyridine derivatives represented by the general formula: ##STR1## wherein when Y is R--, Z is one of R--, RO--, ##STR2## when Y is RO--, Z is one of straight chain pentyl, ##STR3## and --CN; and when Y is one of ##STR4## Z is one of R--, RO-- and --CN; when Y is --CN, Z is one of RO--, ##STR5## and R is a straight chain alkyl group from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, are disclosed. The 2-phenylpyridine derivatives in accordance with the invention are particularly well-suited for use in nematic liquid crystal compositions for reducing the steepness and response time of the liquid crystal compositions in a liquid crystal display device.

Abstract: An electrothermal transfer printing apparatus employing an electrothermal transfer film having an ink layer and a resistive layer is used with a print head having a substrate which carries recording electrodes. The recording electrodes are fabricated on the substrate by thick film printing process so as to have a hardness which is controlled relative to that of the substrate. The print head is held in sliding contact with the resistive layer in the transfer film to effect selective heating of the resistive layer for the transfer of ink to a recording body. The angle at which the print head contacts the recording body depends upon the relative hardnesses of the substrate and the electrodes. The print head is cleaned after a predetermined travel of the transfer film over the print head, so that clarity of printing is maintained in spite of the passage of long lengths of electrothermal transfer film.