Abstract: A technique for verifying the authenticity of a particular breed of pirated optical discs. By comparing the original source disc with the pirated version in the cross-polarization laser light of a polarimeter, the stress of the pirated replication will be revealed, verifying the existence of piracy.

Abstract: A method for combining CD-ROM and CD-DA audio data on a single compact disc to reduce the amount of noise which is heard when the compact disc is played back on a player which is not specially adapted to play compact discs with both CD-ROM and CD-DA audio data. Presently, there are three (3) methodologies embodying the invention. In the first, the CD-ROM, i.e., CD-ROM boot blocks are placed in Track 1, Index 1; the CD-DA audio tracks are placed in tracks (2, 3, . . . , N) and the CD-ROM data files are placed in track (N+1). In the second, the entire CD-ROM Volume is placed in Track 1, Index 0; the first CD-DA audio track is placed in Track 1, Index 1, and all other CD-DA audio tracks are placed in tracks 2, 3, . . . , N. In the third, the entire CD-ROM Volume is placed in Track 1, Index 0 as in the second. However, in the third, the boot blocks for the CD-ROM volume are repeated in Track 1, Index 1, with all CD-DA audio selections being placed in tracks 2, 3, . . . , N.

Abstract: Apparatus for placing a mark on the spine of a tape cassette at a location therealong corresponding to the length of the selection on the tape in which cassettes successively loaded with the selection from a pancake tape having the same selection recorded thereon a plurality of times are passed to a marking station at which a marking device is moved from a home position to a second position spaced therefrom by a distance equal to the length of the selection in response to the loading of a selection into an empty cassette. The marking device is actuated in response to movement of a cassette into the marking station with its spine extending in a direction from the home position toward the second position of the marking device. The exhausting of the pancake tape is sensed to return the marking device to its home position.

Abstract: An improved method of removing a stuck sprue from the ejector assembly of an injection molding machine and a tool for use in the method in which the tool has a body with a hollow lower portion having a bottom edge with peripherally spaced indentations, In the method, the tool is first heated to above the melting point of the molding material and the lower end is inserted into the stuck sprue. The tool is cooled to below the melting point of the molding material and then rocked back and forth to free the sprue from the ejector mechanism.

Abstract: An improved method of removing a stuck sprue from the ejector assembly of an injection molding machine and a tool for use in the method in which the tool has a body with a hollow lower portion having a bottom edge with peripherally spaced indentations. In the method, the tool is first heated to above the melting point of the molding material and the lower end is inserted into the stuck sprue. The tool is cooled to below the melting point of the molding material and then rocked back and forth to free the sprue from the ejector mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus for counting compact discs stacked on a spindle with outer portions of adjacent discs normally separated by gaps formed by central bosses of the discs in which the stack is moved vertically through the space between transmitting optics which produce a pair of vertically spaced beams having a space therebetween equal to the distance between a pair of adjacent gaps of the stack and receiving optics including a detector which produces pulses in response to radiation from said beams which transverse the gaps. The time between a pair of successive pulses is measured and the second pulse of the pair is counted as two pulses when the measured time exceeds a predetermined time. The apparatus is arranged to operate with either of two types of spindles.

Abstract: A print scanner for detecting defects in the label of a compact disc or the like supported on a carrier moved through a label printing station into a substantially light-tight housing in which the disc is illuminated with diffuse light through a mask so that a video camera in the housing sees only the label area. A reference image derived from a multiplicity of video frames and a sample image derived from a plurality of video frames are subtracted each from the other, two histograms are computed from the subtraction results and respective figures of merit for missing ink and added ink are calculated from the histograms.

Abstract: Very thin polymer/MOC film, on the order of 500A to 1000A thick, is prepared by dissolving both the polymer and the MOC sequentially in the same solvent to obtain an emulsion consisting of a discontinuous phase of finite globules of the MOC solution dispersed in a continuous phase of the polymer solution, then partially evaporating the solvent from a layer of the emulsion, and finally subjecting the resultant polymer/MOC layer, while the solvent continues to evaporate, to a controlled treatment permitting attainment of a desired arrangement of the MOC phase in and throughout the film, depending on the specific film properties sought to be achieved, while the polymer crystallizes. The treatment may be a drawing operation or, if the metal component of the MOC is magnetic, the application of a magnetic field either parallel or perpendicular to the plane of the layer.