Abstract: A switchable stereoscopic display system, wherein the switchable stereoscopic display system can display two-dimensional and three-dimensional images, includes: an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device; Electronics that rapidly updates individual OLEDs; and a linearly polarizer for the OLED display device. Additionally, a circular polarizing layer changes light from linearly polarized light to circular polarized light. A polarization layer, on top of the circular polarization layer, switches a polarization direction of emitted light within the OLED display device. Other electronics switches the polarization direction within independent segments of the polarization layer. Refreshed OLEDs are synched with the independent segments of the polarization layer.

Abstract: A method of producing an animated electronic message in which at least a portion of a fee associated with producing the animated electronic message is paid for by a sponsor. The method comprises the steps of a user accessing a database which includes at least one sponsor message and software for producing the animated electronic message; the user using the software to produce the animated electronic message; the user agreeing to use the sponsor message which will provide a credit for some of the fee for producing the animated electronic message; and attaching the sponsor message and the animated electronic message which is sent to one or more recipients. In a further embodiment, a sponsor coupon is distributed with the sponsor message and the animated message. In a still further embodiment, the sponsor message is animated. In yet a further embodiment, the credit for some of the fee is paid by the sponsor to a service provider or to the user.

Abstract: An image storage, indexing and retrieval system is disclosed in which a plurality of images are storable in digital form (on a writeable DVD), each with an associated information file, the associated information file including metadata which has been automatically captured and stored and/or input by a user. Metadata is automatically captured via the camera. The user can also input metadata via the camera at the time of image capture, or via a player/recorder system and its various interfaces when the captured images are added to an interactive database stored in random access memory. The user may designate one or more elements of the metadata of the associated information file as an image link for each of the image files, and further the user may specify more than one image links for each of the image files. All of the images having a common image link form a group of images, and the user can determine a sequence of display of all of the digital image files any group.

Abstract: Copy protection for an original recordable medium such as an optical disk having at least one recording surface which records digital information, including the digital information having a title ID code which identifies the digital information; and a copy classification code for the digital information which indicates to a recorder whether it is prohibited from making copies, permitted to make only a single copy or does not restrict the number of copies to be made.

Abstract: A camera comprising a spindle for supporting an image recording disk to be rotated about a center axis, and a handgrip which is to be hand held at an angular position, is characterized in that the handgrip is supported for rotation about the center axis to vary the angular position at which the handgrip is hand held.

Abstract: In an optical or magneto-optical disk drive system adapted to receive a shuttered disk cartridge, interference between the disk clamp and the shutter during cartridge insertion is obviated by securing the clamp onto a sliding mount plate which is normally biased to hold the clamp in a rearward position displaced from its normal operating position in alignment with the disk spindle-drive. A drive cam engaged by the leading edge of the cartridge during insertion is drivingly coupled to the mount plate by a double rack and pinion arrangement to drive the mount plate forward into normal operating position after the cartridge shutter is opened. To assure that the clamp is firmly positioned in alignment with the disk spindle-drive, the pinion is compliantly mounted to allow slight overtravel of the drive cam after the clamp mount is arrested by the precision stop thus exerting a forward bias force to the amount plate which holds the clamp mount firmly in place.

Abstract: A cartridge comprises a rigid peripheral wall sandwiched between a pair of similarly rigid major surfaces, to form a compartment containing a disk arranged for rotation about a central axis. The cartridge obviates the need to have relative axial movement between the disk and a record/playback transducer head as the cartridge is loaded into a drive mechanism. To that end, a brake mechanism latches the disk axially, as well as radially, in its operative plane as the cartridge is loaded; additionally, the cartridge exposes the disk sufficiently to provide interference-free access to it by the transducer head. For that purpose, at least one of the major surfaces has a head-access opening extending to the peripheral wall, which, in turn, defines a relatively narrow bridge-like member, comparable in width to the operative plane of the disk, extending laterally, in the disk plane, from one side to the other side of the head-access opening.

Abstract: A disk cartridge comprises top and bottom opposed spaced-apart plates defining a compartment in which an information recording disk is rotatable. A front peripheral wall joins the top and bottom plates with an aperture in the front peripheral wall communicating with the compartment. The disk cartridge is provided with a brake mechanism that latches the disk axially and radially in an operative plane until the cartridge is inserted fully into a drive mechanism. The brake mechanism also functions to protect the disk against damage, abrasion, cracking and the like, by eliminating annoying rattling when the cartridge is jostled during transporting or in handling. The disk brake mechanism comprises a unitary spring-biased pivotally mounted brake member on one side of the disk center for engaging the periphery of the disk and clamping the disk between the brake member and a pair of angularly spaced nooks located on the opposite side of the disk center.