Abstract: The present muting control apparatus comprises a first circuit for indicating selection of the error signal relative to N-m (N and m are natural numbers satisfying N>m) data blocks of N data blocks reproduced by a first rotary head when all of the first m data blocks thereof have errors. The first circuit also indicates selection of the error signal relative to N-m data blocks of N data blocks reproduced by a second rotary head when at least one of the first m data blocks reproduced by the first rotary head has no error. The muting control circuit also comprises a second circuit for generating a muting control signal indicating whether to mute the reproduced audio signal, by using error signal which is indicated by the first circuit.

Abstract: A magneto-optical recording apparatus for writing information on a magneto-optical recording medium having at least one pair of magneto-optical storage layers each pair consisting of a first and a second storage layer which have at least one pair of corresponding recording segments, each pair of mutually corresponding recording segments consisting of a first recording segment provided on the first storage layer and a second recording segment provided on the second storage layer. The apparatus includes a first and a second writing/erasing head for writing and erasing information on the first and second storage layers, and a recording controller for activating one of the first and second writing/erasing heads to erase previous information already recorded on corresponding one of the first and second recording segments, while activating the other head to write first new information on the other of the first and second recording segments.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information in and/or from an optically inscribable and readable disk-shaped record carrier with a pre-formed tracks with a track modulation constituted by a radial wobble, in order to obtain a tracking signal. A reference signal for deriving the tracking signal by synchronous detection is obtained by rectifying the difference signal which is the difference between the signals supplied by the two photo-detectors disposed on opposite sides of a line which extends in the track direction, by subsequently extracting the component of twice the frequency via a phase-locked loop and by frequency-dividing the signal, so that phase shifts of 180.degree. in the difference signal do not affect the synchronous detection.

Abstract: Time base fluctuation of a video signal reproduced from a video disc or tape is detected and corrected. Meanwhile, a dropout of such reproduced video signal is also detected. The dropout detection signal thus obtained represents the dropout period during which the time base information is erroneous. Therefore the time base information detected during such dropout period is rendered invalid to consequently eliminate erroneous correction of the time base fluctuation.

Abstract: A function controller functions as an automatic telephone answering system in an audio/video component system and serves to control the volume level of an audio amplifier in the A/V system by detection of a telephone ringing signal as well as other functions normally associated with an automatic telephone answering system, such as code designated switching using DTMF circuitry.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus wherein mechanical deteriorations and induced noises can be eliminated and detection signals different in recording density can be read by a reading circuit without a misoperation. The apparatus comprises a filter circuit including a switching element for changing over between different impedance elements in order to allow reproduction from a magnetic medium which is recorded in a recording period which is different from recording and reproducing characteristics of said magnetic head. Preferably, the switching element is a field effect transistor.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for gaining high-speed random access to a track in an existing magnetic recording/playback system of the type in which a magnetic head is shifted one track at a time to an adjacent track in response to a forward-feed/reverse-feed signal and the head is positioned at the center of this track by tracking control. When the track number of a track to be accessed is designated, the designated track number is compared with a track number at which the magnetic head is presently located. An apparatus is provided for fast-feeding the magnetic head to a track adjoining the designated track on the basis of the comparison, and for subsequently outputting the forward-feed/reverse-feed signal for the purpose of tracking control.

Abstract: There is disclosed an information signal reproducing apparatus for reproducing information signals from a magnetic record bearing medium on which information signals are recorded with pilot signals of four different frequencies recurrently superimposed thereon. The apparatus comprises magnetic heads which are arranged to reproduce said information signals and said pilot signals by tracing said magnetic record bearing medium and an erasing head which is arranged to trace said magnetic record bearing medium in equal tracing direction to that of said magnetic heads and which is able to erase at least the information signals recorded on said magnetic record bearing medium and to reproduce said pilot signals. At the time of controlling a tracing position of said magnetic heads relative to said magnetic record bearing medium, four local pilot signals having the same frequencies as those of said pilot signals, respectively, are recurrently generated in a predetermined rotation.

Abstract: In a PCM (pulse code modulated) audio signal recording and/or reproducing apparatus, a scanning track formed by one scanning of a tape by a rotary head is divided into a plurality of track areas in its longitudinal direction to thereby form multi-channel segment track areas, and the PCM audio signal is recorded on and/or reproduced from the segment track area of each track corresponding to a particular channel on the tape. When a plurality of programs or events are sequentially recorded in a timer scheduled recording mode, it is possible to select either a series recording mode in which successive events are recorded only in the segment track areas of one channel or a parallel recording mode, in which the successive events are recorded in segment track areas of different channels, respectively.

Abstract: A telephone message recording device for recording messages from a caller on an incoming telephone line, including a recording memory for recording of calls and incoming messages, an announcement memory, a detector responsive to incoming telephone calls and producing a start signal for the announcement memory, a voice detector switch for detecting whether there are voice signals on the incoming line and supplying a start signal to the recording memory and a pair of numeric displays indicating that a call or calls have been received, one display for indicating the number of calls received and a second display for indicating the number of calls which have been recorded on the recording memory. First and second counters are provided for the displays formed by two-digit BCD counters whose output signals are applied via multiplexers and drive circuits to the associated display.

Abstract: A stereo phonograph pick-up head or cutter has a slim elongated construction utilizing an elongated mount having connector pins at its rear end. Two elongated pole pieces fit into the mount, each having a socket at its rear end. Each coil is wound around a long straight pole rod whose rear end fits into a respective socket and whose front end bounds the transducing gap. A screening shell, part of which forms a common pole piece, slides lengthwise over the holder, and is glued thereto. The stylus unit is slid over the front end of the screening shell, with the stylus magnetic element sliding between the screening shell and pole pieces into the transducing gap.

Abstract: A video noise reduction system for use in a video signal recording apparatus adapted to record red, blue and green primary color component video signals on a plurality of separate tracks of a magnetic recording medium. The component video signals are applied to a matrix circuit which produces a wide-band luminance signal. The video noise reduction system includes a band splitter circuit for splitting the wide-band luminance signal into an upper-band luminance signal and a lower-band luminance signal and an emphasis circuit for emphasizing the low level components of the upper-band luminance signal before the upper-band luminance signal is FM modulated. Since the emphasis circuit follows the band splitter circuit having a flat phase versus frequency characteristic, the video noise reduction circuit can reduce video noise without causing distortion of the frequency modulated video signal.

Abstract: Accessing method and an apparatus therefor in an optical disc apparatus having an acousto-optic light deflector for deflecting a light spot to a different address or different track on an optical disc are disclosed. An auto-focus signal is held at a constant level for a predetermined period when the acousto-optic light deflector deflects the light spot. Thus, an affect caused by coexistence of a plurality of acoustic frequencies in the acoustic-optic device is eliminated and fast light accessing is attained.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an electronic still camera for photographing a subject by use of an image sensing device such as a solid state image sensing device and the image signal thereof is recorded into a rotary recording medium such as a magnetic disc. With this electronic still camera, photographing in an electronic view finder ( EVF) mode and a movie still mode in addition to a normal mode can be performed. The EVF mode is the mode for making exposure of the image of the subject to the normally open image sensing means by use of an electronic finder to observe the subject, and subsequently, releasing an exposure device for a period of time required for the exposure to make exposure of the image of the subject to an image sensing device.

Abstract: When a recording track on a magnetic disc (10) is erased, a first erasing signal f.sub.1 with an upper limit of frequency (10 MHz) in a recording signal band is supplied through a magnetic head 14 over a period T.sub.1. Since the erasing signal f.sub.1 is attenuated and vibrated in a period T.sub.12, the residual component is minimized. A second erasing signal f.sub.2 with an upper limit of frequency (20 MHz) which is outside of the recording signal band and can be recording and reproduced by the magnetic head is supplied through the magnetic head 14 over a period T.sub.2, so that the residual component of the erasing signal f.sub.1 is erased. Since the erasing signal f.sub.2 is attenuated and vibrated in a period T.sub.22, the residual component is minimized.

Abstract: Trackwise disparity between inductive record and magneto-resistive playback heads which are built on a common support is measured and memorized. Thereafter, during head-positioning, the memorized disparity is employed as a track-address bias for proper registration of the playback head, irrespective of its widthwise disparity relative to the record head. To achieve the aforesaid measurement, the invention provides for a self-calibrating algorithmic routine that generates the aforesaid bias.

Abstract: A solution to accurately aligning a read-write head over a previously written data track on both a write protected and not write protected tape is disclosed. A control unit, preferably a programmed microprocessor, electronically provides a sequence of control outputs to move the tape and step the head to locate an edge of the tape. The control unit then moves the head a fixed distance to be over a selected data track. A threshold circuit controls the readout of data from the head of the tape in such a way as to improve edge find reliability.

Abstract: A fare collection ticket transport mechanism transports tickets along an open longitudinal slot with a portion of the ticket projecting sideways out of the slot so that a patron depositing the ticket in the mechanism can see it while it is being transported and can grasp the projecting portion to release it if it becomes jammed. The portion of the ticket within the slot passes over read, write and verify components of the mechanism. The slot has a side wall or guide projecting out of the slot for guiding the projecting portion of the ticket. The guide has spaced notches to permit a patron to grasp a ticket and vertical ridges or lips at the outer edge of the guide act as stops for the outer edge of the projecting portion of a ticket to prevent the ticket from moving transversely out of the slot.

Abstract: In an auto-reverse type tape recorder also capable of repeatedly playing a tape in both directions, the tape travel is not shut off when the mode of operation is manually changed over from the normal run mode to the reverse run mode, or vice-versa, and after a changeover to the record mode, manual changeover operation is locked-out or made impossible in order to prevent the travel of the tape from being inadvertently changed over and, further, the travel of the tape is stopped without fail at the end of either the normal run mode or the reverse run mode.

Abstract: A personal memory card system is arranged for use with a memory card which looks and feels much like an ordinary credit card. No ohmic electrical contact is required between the card and a reader/writer in an associated station for transferring data to and from the card and operating power to the card. The need for conductive contacts in transferring data between the reader/writer and the card is avoided through use of a capacitive interface formed when insulated metallic plates on the card are aligned in close proximity with corresponding plates on the reader/writer. Operating power is transferred to the card through an inductive interface formed when a flexible flat inductor embedded in the card is aligned in close proximity to another inductor in the reader/writer. Data to and from the card and power to the card are reliably transferred even after some time of normal use since there are no exposed metallic surfaces to corrode or to which particles may collect.