Abstract: Ideographic keyboard and method in which an array of characters are printed on one side of a panel and optically readable data corresponding to the characters is recorded on the other side of the panel. A character selector is moved about the first side the panel for selective alignment with the characters, and an optical reader is linked to the character selector for movement about the recorded data in concert with the character selector. The data corresponding to a selected character is read, and a coded signal for the selected character is output in response to the data which is read. In one disclosed embodiment, the data is recorded in the form of bar coding, and the reader is a bar code reader. Precise alignment of the reader with the data for the selected character is assured by reading data from a region larger than the data field itself and extracting the character data in software.

Abstract: Ideographic typewriter and method in which a set of characters are printed on a keyboard panel in optically readable form and scanned to provide a bit map of a character which is to be printed. A printer is actuated in accordance with the bit map to form an image of the selected character on an output medium. Characters beyond those included in the set printed on the keyboard panel can be written on a calligraphy pad near the keyboard and scanned to provide bit maps for use in the printing of those characters. Information associated with the characters is prerecorded in tracks on a magnetic medium positioned beneath the keyboard panel and transduced in a manner which substantially eliminates crosstalk between the tracks.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly for selecting characters to be recorded includes a substrate carrying an array of characters arranged on one face thereof. A character selection device moves between advanced and retracted positions along each of two axes of the array and, by means of an optical viewfinder, registers a given character with respect to the position of the selecting device. Registration openings distributed along each of the two axes cooperate with an associated detent carried by the selecting device so as to retain the selecting device in a fixed position relative to the locus of the character which has been selected. Movement of the character selection device to the locus of a given character serves to control the recording of the character selected.

Abstract: A hand-held transducing device for magnetically recording upon and playing from stationary records of a type adapted to be carried on back of a photograph or the like employs a rotating head for transducing information with respect to the record and means apart from the record for guiding the transducer to travel in a record trace while progressively varying the pitch of the head with respect to the track so as to vary the track density across the surface of the record, thereby extending the playing time of a record.

Abstract: A method of making a dual layer record element for photographically and magnetically recording information respectively on opposite faces thereof and product.

Abstract: A record player attachment base is provided for holding and aligning a card having a miniature or microphonograph record thereon, in proper alignment for playback by a hand-held record player, referred to as a microphonograph.