Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a body and a support structure. The support structure pivotally connected to the body includes a first structural member and a second structural member, and the first structural member is pivotally connected to the body along a first axis. The second structural member pivotally connected to the first structural member along a second axis includes a first support region and a second support region. The combination of the first structural member and the second structural member rotates around the first axis towards or away from the body, and when it rotates away from the body, the first support region leans against a first support surface. The second structural member rotates around the second axis towards or away from the body, and when it rotates away from the body, the second support region leans against the support surface.

Abstract: An electronic device for reading and writing information on an optical disc includes a base, a cover, and a decelerating mechanism. The decelerating mechanism can switch between an unresisting position and a resisting position. When the cover is closed, the decelerating mechanism moves from the resisting position to the unresisting position to allow rotation of the optical disc. When the cover is opened, the decelerating mechanism moves to the resisting position for braking and stopping the rotation of the optical disc. A decelerating mechanism in an electronic device is also provided.

Abstract: A power saving method for an optical disk drive of a rugged electronic device is described. In the method, whether a watertight lid outside the optical disk drive is in open/closed state is detected by a sensor. When the watertight lid is in the closed state, whether an optical disk exists in the optical disk drive is detected by a read/write head of the optical disk drive. When no optical disk exists, a controller in the rugged electronic device begins to time. When a predetermined time is reached and no optical disk drive start command is received, the controller turns off an electrical connection between a power supply and the optical disk drive. When an optical disk drive start command is received, the controller enables the electrical connection between the power supply and the optical disk drive.

Abstract: A brake includes a braking portion for braking a rotatable element, a swinging portion secured with the braking portion, a resilient portion integrally formed with the swinging portion for generating a restoring force to make the braking portion contact the rotatable element, and a forced portion for being operated to counteract the restoring force and rotate the braking portion via the swinging portion. When the forced portion is acted, the resilient portion is compressed and the braking portion is driven to separate from the rotatable element, and when the forced portion is free, the resilient portion restores to drive the braking portion to contact with the rotatable element.

Abstract: An exemplary latching mechanism for folding drive bay door (10) includes a cover panel (12), two brackets (14), two link members (184), a rotatable member (16), and two elastic members (22). The cover panel is configured for covering an entrance of an electronic device. The cover panel forms two pivotally rotatable portions (122) on opposite ends. The brackets are fixed to the electronic device. Each of the brackets defines a guiding hole for receiving the pivotally rotatable portions of the cover panel. Opposite ends of each link member are rotatably connected to the cover panel and the rotatable member correspondingly. The rotatable member is rotatably connected to the brackets. Two ends of each elastic member resist one of the two brackets and the rotatable member correspondingly.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of ejecting a disc for a disc drive. The disc drive at least includes a bottom casing and a tray. The tray is used for carrying a disc. The disc loading apparatus for a disc drive includes a protruding portion and a brake pad. The protruding portion is disposed on the bottom casing. The brake pad is movably disposed at the tray. When the tray is moved with respect to the bottom casing for enabling the protruding portion to interfere with the brake pad, the protruding portion pushes the brake pad to projects towards the disc for interfering with the disc so that the disc is halted and pushed up.

Abstract: A protection-cover opening/closing mechanism for a digital still camera includes an electromagnet having stator around which an electromagnetic coil is formed and a movable member, a first lever to which the movable member is pivotally attached at a first end portion and which receives a rotational force, a second lever which is able to reciprocate on a stationary member, which is engageable with a second end portion of the first lever, and which is pressed toward an initial position thereof. While a CD-R is being operated, current is applied to the electromagnetic coil to restrain the movable member on the stator and thereby prevent the first lever from rotating, and the movement of the second lever in the direction away from the initial position is limited due to the engagement between the first lever and the second lever, thereby locking a protection cover at a closed position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shockproof device of a hard disk drive in which a plurality of springs are mounted on slide rail seats at sides of hard disk drive of notebook computer in order that the hard disk drive is disposed in a hanging arrangement. Besides, the inner five sides (except the hard disk drive extraction side) of the hard disk drive housing are provided with shock-absorbing blocks for improving the shockproof function. In addition, two sides of the hard disk drive housing are fitted with the slide rail seats for the convenient extraction of the hard disk drive. Accordingly, a better shockproof effect is achieved.

Abstract: A cartridge hand off selection mechanism may comprise a gate member positioned along the displacement path of a moveable cartridge engaging assembly. The gate member is displaceably engageable by a latch member on the moveable cartridge during a first operating state and is nondisplaceably engageable with the latch member during a second operating state.

Abstract: Disclosed is a minidisc player of a top loading type including a shutter actuating mechanism which has a guiding groove formed linearly along an upper surface of one side of a housing of which both side edges are provided with a cover. Also, the shutter actuating mechanism which is received in the guiding groove is connected to the cover and can be moved along the guiding groove responsive to the opening and closing operations of the housing cover. The shutter actuating mechanism effects the opening and closing of a minidisc cartridge shutter upon the pivotal movement of the housing cover.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for an optical disc 101 having ejection inhibiting levers 18, 19 moved at the time of starting the recording mode. These ejection inhibiting levers 18, 19 are retained in the moved position by a locking lever 23 during the recording mode for inhibiting thrusting of an ejection button 17 which may be operated for taking out the optical disc 101. After the end of recording of table-of-contents data on the optical disc 101 following recording of the information signals on the disc 101, the locking lever 23 releases the retention of the ejection inhibiting levers 18, 19 for enabling thrusting of the ejection button 17.

Abstract: A magneto-optic disk unit comprises a casing having an opening through which a disk cartridge is inserted into and extracted from the casing, a cartridge holder having an inserting opening for receiving the disk cartridge which is inserted through the opening of the casing, and an erroneous insertion preventing mechanism which is provided on the cartridge holder. The erroneous insertion preventing mechanism comprises an erroneous insertion preventing part which is provided in an inserting path of the disk cartridge and confronts a sloping surface of a magneto-optic disk cartridge which is inserted through the opening of the casing in a correct position for permitting the insertion of only the magneto-optic disk cartridge to a predetermined position within the cartridge holder when the magneto-optic disk cartridge is inserted in the correct position.

Abstract: A protection circuit for optical disc players which can prevent the unnecessary radiation of laser beams due to a malfunction of the player. The circuit includes a laser radiating and detecting device which detects the laser beams reflecting from an optical disc and a driving stage which receives the detected signal from the laser radiating and detecting device and controls a microcomputer to cut out the supply of a driving voltage to the laser radiating and detecting device when the optical disc is not placed on a disc table.

Abstract: A control cover device is supplied in kit form and to be assembled and fitted by the user to a piece of equipment having a front control panel and opposite side walls projecting rearwardly from opposite ends of the control panel. The device comprises a cover which is pivotally, or otherwise moveably secured to the apparatus by means of mounting members which are attachable to the opposite side walls of the equipment casing, and to which the opposite ends of the cover are suitably attached.The mounting members are each provided with a catch for releasably retaining the cover in a control-covering position. The cover includes an elongate screen piece which can be cut to a length suitable for the particular equipment, and the mounting members are of plate-like form.

Abstract: An information processing system has a scanning apparatus which includes a brake mechanism for braking a turntable, on which an optical disk is mounted when the motor for rotating the turntable is stopped. A lock mechanism for preventing the optical head from moving is also activated. The lock mechanism operates in interlock with the brake mechanism when the brake mechanism is activated. The brake and lock mechanism are driven by a common drive source.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus (1) includes a holder compartment (10) for a record carrier (2), a cover (13) which can be closed by hand against spring force to close the holder compartment (10), and a latching member (20) for retaining the cover (13) in the closed position, which latching member is movable by hand against spring force to release the cover (13). When the latching member (20) is actuated by hand to release the cover (13), electrical switching means (31) switches off electrical devices (30) of the apparatus (1) and keeps said devices switched off while the cover (13) is open. The switching means (31) includes a single switch (32) whose switching contacts (33, 34) are set to a first switching state when the cover (13) is closed, in which state the electrical devices (30) can be switched on, and which assume a second switching state when the cover (13) is open, in which second switching state the electrical devices (30) are switched off.

Abstract: An optical disk drive of the type adapted to use an optical disk cartridge formed by an optical disk mounted about a hub within an enclosure. When inserted into the optical disk drive, the cartridge is received and supported by a pan. A control handle for controlling the disk drive can be rotated between a load position, a run position, a spin-down position, and an eject position. The handle is coupled to the pan by a linkage. When the handle is rotated to either its run or spin-down positions, the linkage positions the pan at a run/spin-down position at which the hub of the disk is engaged with a drive spindle. When rotated to either its load or eject positions, the linkage causes the pan to be in a load/eject position at which the cartridge can be inserted into or removed from the pan. The position of the handle is detected by optical sensors which provide signals representative thereof to control circuitry.

Abstract: An automatic disc player system with means for automatically selecting the disc and loading the disc on a turntable. A carrier assembly including a pickup means is slidable along a longitudinal axis of a disc holder portion in which the discs are arranged face to face on a longitudinal holder member. In order to load the disc on the turntable, a slider having a roller to guide the disc forces the same to a position of play where a clamper having a portion cooperative with the turntable catches the disc to load the same on the turntable. The operation of selecting and loading the disc is controlled by a microcomputer assisted control system.

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: In a record-disc player comprising a disc-braking mechanism the turntable (7) is covered by a lid (14) which is pivotally connected to a housing (3). The lid (14) is latched in a closed position by means of a latching mechanism (30). A brake lever (21) is pivotally connected to the lid (14) and carries a braking element (23) and a stop element (24) arranged on opposite sides of the pivot. The latching mechanism (30) can be released by exerting pressure on the lid (14), the stop element (24) engaging with a stop portion (44) as a result of the pressure exerted on the lid. By the pivotal movement of the lever (21) relative to the lid (14) a braking torque is exerted on the disc loader (20) by the braking element (23), so that the disc (13) is stopped.

Abstract: A record player apparatus with a laser reproduction unit and a movable support for moving the reproduction unit across the surface of a record as the record is rotated during a playing operation to position the reproduction unit to reproduce recordings in tracks on the records has a non-volatile memory unit for storing identification information read by the reproduction unit from tracks on the records which retains the information when the power supply is cut off and the reproducing is interrupted while the record is being rotated during a playing operation and has a mechanism for locating the reproduction unit in the position occupied when the power supply was cut off to resume the reproducing at the point of interruption when the power supply is reconnected.

Abstract: When a caddy is inserted into the player to load a record therein, it displaces a switch actuating lever to a second position thereof to turn on the player. The switch actuating lever moves back to its first position upon retrieval of the record from the player as the carriage is driven toward its OFF position to switch off the player.

Abstract: A turntable brake mechanism comprises a brake shoe located beneath the turntable for motion between a raised position and a lowered position in response to raising and lowering a record lifting rod which passes through one of the slots in the turntable to transfer the record between the turntable and a set of record receiving pads positioned above the turntable. When raised, the brake shoe engages the underside of the turntable to oppose the rotation of the turntable. The brake shoe is spaced from the turntable, when retracted, to allow the turntable to rotate freely.

Abstract: A caddy-type player has a pair of spring-loaded lockout members disposed at the opposite ends of the caddy input slot. The lockout members are positioned inside and outside the caddy insertion path, respectively, in response to the presence of and the absence of a record/spine assembly inside the player. The lockout members have square edges and sloping edges which are, respectively, disposed perpendicularly and non-perpendicularly to the caddy insertion path when the lockout members are positioned in the caddy insertion path. When an empty caddy sleeve is inserted into the player to retrieve a retained record/spine assembly, its leading edges engage the respective sloping edges of the lockout members to position the lockout members outside the caddy insertion path. If a full caddy is inserted into the player, while it already has another record/spine assembly inside, the square edges of the lockout members engage the leading edge of the full caddy to prevent it from going in.

Abstract: The player has a record handling mechanism which consists of a sequencing cam for coordinating the operations of a record lifting finger and a set of record receiving pads. To transfer a record from the record receiving pads to a turntable for playback, the record lifting finger is raised through a slot in the turntable to lift the record to a position above the receiving pads, the receiving pads are retracted out of the way, and then the record lifting finger is withdrawn to a location beneath the turntable to deposit the record on the turntable. To transfer the record back to the record receiving pads for retrieval, the sequence of operations is basically reversed. It is desirable to hold the registration between the turntable slot and the record lifting finger when the player is turned off. To this end a shutoff switch actuating mechanism is provided. When the player is turned off, the sequencing cam is driven in a direction that raises the record lifting finger through the turntable slot.

Abstract: A releasable cover locking device associated with a cover of a record player of the type in which a record disk is rotated during a reproduction operation when power is supplied to the record player, includes a locking mechanism having a locking lever biased about a shaft to a locking position to lock the cover into a closed position; a first release mechanism including a release link rotatably mounted on the shaft for biasing the locking lever to an unlocked position, a reciprocable rod connected to the release link and an electromagnetic plunger for actuating the reciprocable rod when power is supplied to the apparatus and when the rotational speed of the record disk falls below a predetermined value wherein the release link biases the locking lever to the unlocked position; and a second release mechanism including an arm rotatably mounted on the shaft for biasing the locking lever to the unlocked position, a stop lever connected to the arm through an operating link, a positioning mechanism for positioning

Abstract: A sound reproducing device is driven by an electric motor powered by a cell or battery. The lead wires extending between the battery and the electric motor are securedly connected at their points of junction by either the resilient forces exerted by the lead wires themselves which exhibit spring properties and/or by a biasing force applied by the casing assembly of the reproducing device, itself. Furthermore, the spring-like lead wires are, also, utilized to define a spring acting stop switch operable for both starting and stopping of the sound reproduction, and particularly, to form an electrical switch(es) interconnected with a cover lid. Owing to the simplified construction as mentioned above, the electrical circuit of the device of this kind can be readily arranged in the device accompanied by superior electrical characteristics.