Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection device is disclosed which automatically connects selected connector pins of a semiconductor chip package ("SCP") or connectors on printed circuit boards such that the connector pins are held at a common voltage until insertion of the SCP into a receptor or until insertion of a cable into the connector which overcomes an internal resilient bias of the electrostatic discharge protection device causing the common connection to be removed. Removal of the SCP from the receptor or the cable from its connector removes the force which overcomes the bias, thereby reestablishing the common electrical connection thus automatically moving the electrostatic discharge protection device between inoperative and operative positions.

Abstract: Heads-up and heads-down displays employing holographic stereograms are provided. The stereograms can be oriented perpendicular to the user's line of sight (the "90.degree. case") or at angle to the line of sight (the "non-90.degree. case"). The stereograms are produced using a three-step process in which a series of two-dimensional perspective views are prepared, a H.sub.1 hologram is prepared from the two-dimensional perspective views, and a H.sub.2 hologram is prepared from the H.sub.1 hologram. For the non-90.degree. case, the two-dimensional perspective views are oriented at an angle relative to the plane of the H.sub.1 hologram during the preparation of that hologram. Similarly, during the preparation of the H.sub.2 hologram for this case, the H.sub.2 hologram is oriented at an angle relative to the H.sub.1 hologram. In this way, the viewing slits generated by the holographic stereogram are located in the vicinity of the user's eyes for the non-90.degree. case as is desired.

Abstract: An optical information storage medium (e.g., disk) has an arrangement of optically detectable marks in a uniform angularly offset, polar array wherein each mark carries timing, tracking and addressing information.

Abstract: A programmable limited play video tape cassette includes a microcircuit that is programmed to provide a play limit signal at the termination of a selected play period based on time, a calendar period or play count. The cassette also includes selected peripheral devices which render prerecorded picture information on the video tape non-viewable in response to the play limit signal from the programmable microcircuit. In addition to the programmable microcircuit and peripheral devices, the cassette includes a battery, an LCD panel, and one or more sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining the angular deviation of a randomly angular oriented article from a desired angular orientation in preparation for its engagement by a robotic part handling device. The apparatus projects a rotating image of the article onto a mask which is representative of the article in a desired orientation and provides an angular deviation signal indicative of the cummulative angular displacement of the image from an initial reference position at which the image matches the mask.

Abstract: A disk cartridge, operable with a disk drive, includes a generally flat-shaped case enclosing a recording medium disposed on a disk about a central hub. The case includes top and bottom walls disposed on opposite sides of the disk, the bottom wall having an access opening through which a disk drive is to engage with the hub. A foil spring has a generally flared dish shape, and is symmetrically formed and positioned about a central axis of the hub. The spring is positioned between the disk and the top wall for urging the disk toward the bottom wall to close the access opening with the hub and to close a spindle receiving aperture in the hub to prevent entry of contaminants during periods of nonuse.

Abstract: A magnetic disk cassette of simplified design is provided for improving the disk cleaning function of a cassette liner and for stablizing the lateral motion of a magnetic disk rotating within the cassette in the region where the disk is coupled to a magnetic head for data recording or reproduction purposes. The magnetic disk cassette includes a magnetic disk and a pair of friction reducing, disk-cleaning liners with one liner being located on each side of and immediately adjacent the magnetic disk. When the magnetic disk cassette is fully assembled, the magnetic disk is sandwiched between the liner and a pair of disk-enclosing covers.

Abstract: A magnetic data storage system for use with a double sided disk in which a prerecorded pattern of opaque optical lines is used to define the tracks in which magnetic data is to be stored. A separate optical system including an illumination source and a photosensitive detector is provided on a read/write assembly for each side of the disk. Each detector is designed also to serve as a reference grating. The illumination source is designed to image the prerecorded pattern of optical lines on the reference grating as an indication of the alignment of the read/write head of the assembly and a desired data rack and any misalignment of the head and track generates a servo signal. The detector uses four separate photocells interleaved in a prescribed fashion to form a quadrature detector that is adjustable to compensate for various non-uniformities. One form of illumination source uses a surface-emitting light emitting diode and optics for forming a multiple beam source.

Abstract: A flexible disk cassette is provided and includes improved structure for stabilizing flutter of the disk upon rotation of the latter within the cassette, particularly at the access slot where the disk may be coupled to read/write heads for data recording or reproduction. The cassette includes a flexible data storage disk coated on both sides with a data storage recording medium and a pair of cleaning liners each positioned on a respective side of and in selective contact with the disk. The disk, sandwiched between the liners, is positioned in the cassette between a pair of spaced-apart covers bonded to one another. Respective radially extending access slots are provided in the covers to provide access of the read/write heads to the data storage medium on the disk. Positioned adjacent each radial edge of the access slot and facing the respective liner is a flat-surfaced, raised portion or land.

Abstract: A compact apparatus is provided for writing and/or reading information on a disk. Compactness is achieved by mounting various disk drive components on first and second housing sections which are arranged in telescoping relation for movement between a compact operative position for write and/or read operations and an extended position wherein facing drive components are retracted or spaced further apart to facilitate disk insertion and withdrawal operations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of and apparatus for positioning a read/write head relative to data tracks on recording media. Included is an approach which enhances the linearity of the sensing range by placing the controller transducer intermediate a pivot axis of the heads carrier arm and the head. Also, dual Hall probes are used to provide a self-calibrating feature for the controller.

Abstract: A part positioning apparatus is provided for accurately positioning and angularly orienting a variety of different parts or components for pick-up by a robotic part handling device. The apparatus includes a bowl-like part receptacle which is subjected to a vibratory force so that a part placed on a concave interior surface of the receptacle slides thereover, under the influence of gravity, and assumes an equilibrium position in a designated area of a horizontal plane thereby positioning the part with respect to X and Y axes. Thereafter the receptacle is rotated about a vertical axis to angularly orient the part in a desired direction.

Abstract: A flying magnetic head assembly for use with a flexible magnetic disk is provided with a pair of angled or inclined pressure relief slots formed in a contoured face of the head which is configured to be spaced from the recording surface of the rotating disk by an intervening air bearing. The angled slot configuration exhibits low flying height and an expanded area of minimum spacing.

Abstract: A system utilizing aspects of both photography and electronic imaging is provided for recording and reproducing an image of scene in color. A camera component of the system photographically records the image on monochromatic film to provide a high resolution photograph from which electronic luminance signals are derived, and also utilizes an image sensor for providing lower resolution chrominance signals which are recorded on a medium, such as a magnetic stripe, that may be formed on the film unit. The photograph and chrominance signal recording are transferred to a reproduction component of the system which derives the luminance information signals from the photograph and combines it with the chrominance signals to provide three primary color signals which are utilized to drive a hard copy printer or an electronic image display device.

Abstract: An electronic imaging copier is provided for making enhanced photographic copies of reflection print and transparency types of photographs. An optical image of an original print or transparency is scanned twice to provide first and second sets of image signals representative of low and higher resolution versions of the image. At least a portion of the low resolution first set of signals is employed to provide a preview display of the image. The first and second sets of signals are processed to provide a third set of signals representative of an enhanced version of the image which is projected onto a film unit to provide the photographic copy.

Abstract: An electronic imaging copier is provided for making enhanced photographic copies of reflection print and transparency types of photographs. The copier initially operates in a preview display mode during which the operator may view and interactively make selected modifications to an electronic image of the photograph displayed on a display screen. Thereafter, the copier operates in a copy mode to make an enhanced photographic print of the displayed image.

Abstract: A closed loop thermal transfer recording system and color transfer ribbon having a plurality of different color ink stripes thereon are provided for recording a color tonal image on a recording sheet. Precise control over the size of dots formed by ink transfer is achieved by monitoring the density of a thermally sensitive indicator layer on the back side of the ribbon which provides, for each different ink color, indicator marks that are proportional to recorded pixel density, and feeding this information back to a control system which compares monitored density with desired density and regulates heat input to the ribbon accordingly.

Abstract: A thermal transfer ribbon including a resistive heating element layer having a thermally transferable ink layer on the front side thereof is provided with a thermally sensitive indicator layer on the back side thereof. Heat generated in the resistive layer fuses the ink which transfers selectively to record grey scale image defining dots of various sizes on an ink receiving sheet in contact with the ink layer. The heat generated in the resistive layer also flows to the indicator layer to form corresponding indicator marks which are proportional to the recorded dots. The indicator marks are visible on the back side of the ribbon and are optionally monitored to provide feed back to a thermal system for accurately controlling the density of pixel area defining the recorded image.