Abstract: The tone arm holder includes a saddle with a hook portion that defines an open end. A resilient dividing member is located on the top surface of the saddle. The space between the resilient dividing member and the hook define a lock seat configured and arranged for frictional engagement, receipt and storage of a tone arm therein. The opposing side of the saddle from the resilient member defines a performance seat configured and arranged for freely supporting a tone arm whereby a tone arm may be placed on and removed from the performance seat without frictional engagement of the tone arm to the holder. The tone arm is freely movable between the performance seat at a first position and the lock seat at a second position by traversing across the resilient dividing member by exceeding the resilient force of the resilient dividing member.

Abstract: A DJ table simulation apparatus that allows a DJ to practice different turntablism and scratching techniques without the use of a full turntable, mixer, and DJ equipment set up. The DJ table simulation apparatus is a portable tool that provides a platform for DJs to build up muscle memory and perfect the manipulation of vinyl records and sliders back and forth without requiring the use of electric powered turntables and mixer. The DJ table simulation apparatus is comprised of a modified turntable platter, a modified vinyl record, crossfader channels, and volume channels.

Abstract: An optical recording medium capable of suppressing film thickness irregularity of interlayer between a plurality of optical recording layers and effects of warps of a transfer substrate and arising of dusts and burrs problems, etc. and a method of producing the optical recording medium are provided. An optical recording medium has a structure wherein at least two optical recording layers (11, 13) stacked via an interlayer 12 and a light transmitting layer 14 provided on the optical recording layer are provided at least one surface of a medium substrate 10, for performing recording and reproducing by irradiating a light to the optical recording layers (11, 13) through the light transmitting layer 14, and the interlayer includes at least one layer of ultraviolet curing resin film made to be a film in advance and is a film formed with an uneven shape corresponding to a recording pit or an uneven shape (12p) to be a guide groove on its surface and cured.

Abstract: An optical disc (200) according to the present invention has a recording area divided into 28 zones of from a zone Z0 to a zone Z27. In a given zone, the number of waves of a wobble is set so as to be equal, that is, the number of waves of the ADIP carrier is set so as to be equal, between optional two neighboring turns of the track or between optional two neighboring tracks. This achieves inphase-outphase matching on an average, for decreasing a WPP signal, so that such an optical disc may be provided in which no low frequency components are superposed on push-pull signals, even though the optical disc is of such a type in which the track pitch is narrower than 1.6 ?m, such as 1.25 ?m, or in which a mark is detected by DWDD from a groove, as in the case of the next generation MD2.

Abstract: A memory device for recording, playback, and erasure of data through the application of an optical head along a memory medium includes a head carriage and a carriage lock. The head carriage moves the optical head along the surface of the memory medium, and the carriage lock prevents movement of the head carriage in response to a specific shock force. The carriage lock utilizes mechanical energy received from the shock force itself to prevent the movement of the head carriage.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method and apparatus for limiting movement of an actuator assembly in a data storage/retrieval system. In one embodiment of the apparatus, a base is provided on which first and second devices are mounted. The first device is rotatably mounted to the base and reads or writes data to a data storage disk. The second device operates between first and second states. In the first state, the first device is capable of movement with respect to the base. In the second state, the second device operates to inhibit movement of the first device with respect to the base. The second device may operate in the first state when the first device is reading or writing data to the data storage disk, and the second device may operate in the second state when the first device is not reading or writing data to the data storage disk. In one embodiment, second device is rotatably mounted to the base between first and second positions.

Abstract: An actuator loading/unloading device includes a block unit disposed at a base of a disc drive to be positioned outside a disc, a lamp member positioned on the block unit so that the lamp member is lifted from or lowered down on the block unit, an actuator being parked on the loading/unloading device by constraining a side end portion of a swing arm of the actuator during loading/unloading of the actuator, a stopper to restrict a lifting range of the lamp member, and a lifting/lowering unit to lift or lower the lamp member between the block unit and the stopper. The lifting/lowering unit includes a magnet inserted into a bottom surface of the lamp member, and an electromagnet inserted into a top surface of the block unit, facing the magnet. As a result, the actuator is stably parked on the disc drive having a compact structure where the actuator cannot be completely escaped from the disc during unloading of the actuator.

Abstract: A magnetic head loading/unloading apparatus has a head arm being maintained in either a loading state or an unloaded state by means of a permanent magnet. The head arm has a magnetic head on one end thereof, and is fixed on an end of a first yoke. A second yoke is arranged parallel to the first yoke, and is rotatable on the first yoke. A touching member is fixed on the second yoke, the touching member pressing a bottom surface of the head arm so as to elastically deform the head arm so that the magnetic head is positioned in an unload position. A permanent magnet is provided on the first yoke and a coil is provided on the second yoke. When the second yoke is moved to a first position, the head arm is elastically bent by a pressing force exerted by the contacting member so that the magnetic head is positioned in an unload position. When the second yoke is moved to a second position, the contacting member is apart from the head arm so that the magnetic head is in a load position.

Abstract: A disk player including a pickup unit having a locking pin, and a locking mechanism which engages with the locking pin. The locking mechanism comprises a locking means for engaging and holding the locking pin when an actuator is de-energized, and an unlocking means which is actuated in conjunction with the application of power so that the disk player will be in playback mode. The unlocking means cooperates with the locking means when the locking pin is engaged by the locking means. The actuator is energized for an appropriate time after the application of power to the disk player so as to unlock the pickup unit, thus reducing the consumption of power and the generation of heat in the disk player.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing data from a data disc having a reproducing head opposite the data disc for processing data from the data disc. The apparatus includes a moving mechanism for moving the reproducing head between two radially separated positions along the radial direction of the data disc, and a locking device for automatically locking the reproducing head at one of the two positions for preventing movement of the reproducing head.

Abstract: A laser disk record player particularly adapted for mobile applications such as in portable players and automobile mounted players. The player is provided with locking means for preventing free movement of the laser carrying scanning assembly when the player is switched off, thereby to prevent excessive wear or accidental damage caused by random acceleration of the normally free arm. With the record player in the load position, the locking means engages the scanning assembly to prevent motion thereof. When a disk is inserted and the player is switched to the play position, means are provided for automatically freeing the locking means thereby to allow the control circuit of the laser player to take over positioning of the arm.

Abstract: A tone arm moving mechanism is provided wherein the tone arm is normally moved over the lead in groove and lowered to the record during the last half of a normal record changing cycle. Means are then provided which are operative during a last record shut-off cycle for lowering the tone arm into a retaining means on the rest post, said retaining means being effective to restrain the tone arm from inward movement during the remaining portion of the last record shut-off cycle.