Abstract: To increase the recording capacity of a magnetic disc, tracks of this magnetic disc are divided into a number of sectors, with each sector being formed from a number of segments. Each segment is basically made up of a data region and a servo region with data being recorded on the data region and a clock pattern which becomes the basis for generation of a clock, a fine pattern which becomes the basis for the tracking operation, and an access pattern which becomes the basis for a seek operation being recorded on the servo region. An ID region and servo region are formed before the data region and servo region which make up the leading segment with the sector ID for this region being recorded in this ID region. After this ID has been read from this ID region, while it is being determined whether or not this ID is the same as the designated ID, the servo operation corresponding to the servo control signal occurring in the servo region is carried out.

Abstract: A fixture for holding a plurality of masking elements while the masking elements are being baked to remove impurities is disclosed. The masking elements are used to mask dies used for forming sputtering targets used to deposit thin films on a substrate. The fixture includes a housing having first and second end walls connected between first and second side walls wherein the first and second end and side walls form an interior aperture. In addition, the fixture includes a several slots which are formed in the first and second side walls wherein each of the slots are suitable for holding a single masking element. In particular, the interior aperture is of a sufficient size and the slots are positioned such that suitable air circulation is provided between each of the masking elements to expose the masking elements to a predetermined temperature suitable for removing the impurities from the masking elements.

Abstract: A backlight control method and apparatus adapted for use in, for example, aircraft passenger entertainment systems are described. The apparatus includes a present brightness/pre-determined brightness and comparator, and a brightness controller which limits present brightness to a selected level in a system deployed in a discrete space (such as a passenger cabin) having a plurality of displays. The method includes steps of comparing present brightness and predetermined brightness and generating one or more control signals to control backlight brightness based on the comparison to provide more uniform brightness in a display system including many displays co-located in a common space.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for updating a memory in a Compact Disc changer. Information identifying discs stored in a CD changer is stored in a memory. The memory is updated when a CD is loaded which does not have identifying features which are recognized by the CD changer. Updating is carried out via a modem connection to a remote database. The database can be stored locally in a local database residing in a personal computer where the database can be queried to locate desired tracks and can be used to facilitate control of the compact disc changer by providing a simplified interface for building a play list and the like.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a graphical user interface which displays a window on a display where the window comprises plural pages. Only one of the pages can be displayed at one time and each of the pages has at least one icon therein selectable by a user to carry out a function corresponding thereto. The graphical user interface also displays miniature windows simultaneously with the window being displayed on the display. Each of the miniature windows corresponds to each of the pages of the window and each of the miniature windows has miniature icons therein. The number of the miniature icons in each of the miniature windows is equal to the number of the icons included in a corresponding page of the window.

Abstract: A wire harness for a holding a plurality of wires in a cabinet having a front section and a rear section is disclosed, wherein the front section includes a first inner wall and the rear section includes a second inner wall. The harness includes a first vertical flange extending downward from the first inner wall, wherein the flange includes a slit extending through a first end of the flange and terminating before a second end of the flange to form upper and lower rib elements. Further, the slit forms an opening in the first end for receiving the wires into the slit. The harness further includes a shoulder element having a second vertical flange and a horizontal flange, wherein the second vertical flange extends downward from the second inner wall and is separated from the first vertical flange by an offset distance.

Abstract: A latch is disclosed for securing a television monitor for an aircraft video system in a horizontal position, wherein the monitor is rotatable between the horizontal position and a downward position suitable for passenger viewing. The latch includes a solenoid having a hinged element. The hinged element may be rotated to a closed position wherein the hinged element is in a vertical orientation. The hinged element may also be rotated to an open position wherein the hinged element is rotated away from the vertical orientation. Further, the hinged element includes a cutout having a reverse L-shaped configuration and a first mating surface. In addition, a notch is formed in a bezel for the monitor. The notch includes a second mating surface wherein when the hinged element is in the open position and the monitor is in the horizontal position, the second mating surface rests upon the first mating surface thereby securing the monitor in the horizontal position.

Abstract: A control panel is disclosed for a monitor having a cabinet. The control panel includes a cover having a top flange and a front flange, wherein the top flange includes a plurality of apertures and first resilient clips and the front flange includes a plurality of second resilient clips and a translucent section adapted for transmitting infrared light. The cover further includes a button module having resilient buttons and a plurality of third resilient clips, wherein each of the buttons extend through an associated aperture and are adapted to enable operation of selected functions of the monitor. In addition, the cover includes an emitter having light emitting elements for emitting infrared light, wherein the emitter is removably secured to the top cover by the third resilient clips such that the light emitting elements are positioned adjacent the translucent section.

Abstract: An optical pick-up apparatus includes a light source, an objective lens, a beam splitter, a detector, a first optical compensating device and a second optical compensating device. The objective lens converges a light beam emitted from the light source at one point on an optical axis. The beam splitter separates the light beam emitted from the light source from a returning light reflected on an optical disc. The detector detects the returning light separated from the light beam emitted from the light source. The first optical compensating device has a convex aspherical surface represented by X.alpha.R.sup.4 and is located on an optical path where the light beam is emitted from the light source. The second optical compensating device has a concave aspherical surface represented by +.alpha.R.sup.4 and is located on an optical path where the light beam is emitted from the light source.

Abstract: A film transport mechanism for transporting film having perforations including a motor that drives sprockets for transporting the film in increments defined by a pull down stroke. In addition, the mechanism includes a pin element having at least one pin, the pin element being rotatable to a first position wherein the pin is inserted into an associated perforation to stabilize the film without contacting a perforation edge to generate a first sound level when the pull down stroke substantially equals a perforation pitch. Further, when the pitch is not equal to the pull down stroke, the pin contacts a perforation edge to generate a second sound level. The mechanism also includes a microphone positioned adjacent the pin element and the film for detecting a range of sound levels.

Abstract: An optical disc recording device in which RF signals reproduced from a write-once optical disc are detected during track jump for detecting the boundary between a recorded area and an unrecorded area on the write-once optical disc. This defines a roughly defined boundary between the recorded and unrecorded areas which may be searched quickly. A more strictly defined boundary between the recorded and unrecorded areas, may be searched quickly by subsequently employing a binary search method to the roughly detected boundary.

Abstract: A connector module for terminating a video signal for a monitor in an aircraft entertainment system is disclosed. The module includes a switch having a post that is movable between an extended position for terminating the video signal and a retracted position for enabling transmittance of the video signal through an output connector for the monitor. In addition, the module includes a lever rotatably attached adjacent to the output connector. The lever is rotatable to a terminating position wherein the lever is adjacent to the post to enable positioning of the post in the extended position. Further, upon attachment of the video cable to the output connector, the video cable contacts the lever to cause rotation of the lever against the post to move the post to the retracted position.

Abstract: A device for enabling detection of a counterfeit optical CD-ROM is disclosed for use in a conventional mastering system. The device includes a signal source for providing a first signal for forming a predetermined defect in a glass master. The device also includes a switch for connecting a recorder of the mastering system to the signal source. In addition, the device includes a decoder for decoding encoded data and address information provided from an input source of the mastering system. Furthermore, the device includes a central processor unit which serves to detect whether a selected address from the decoded data is present. Upon detection of the selected address, the CPU controls the switch to connect the signal source to the recorder to enable the recorder to receive the first signal and form the predetermined defect at the selected address.

Abstract: A portable wireless voice message transmitter over packet switched network for transmitting a voice message is provided. The transmitter is capable of transmitting a voice message and text-based information when a user makes an emergency call to a special address with which the text-based information is associated. The transmitter includes text-based information setting circuit for setting text-based information, a first memory for storing the text-based information, a special address setting circuit for setting a special address which is associated with the text-based information and a second memory for storing the special address.

Abstract: An exhibit explaining system to enable a plurality of visitors to receive an explanation of an exhibit at their own pace. Spectacle-type displays 51-1 to 51-10 are provided, the frequencies f1 to f10 of a carrier wave being set to be different from each other. Image generating devices 61-1 to 61-10 are provided to correspond to the spectacle-type displays 51-1 to 51-10. When operating explanation request button 52-1 of the spectacle-type display 51-1, a VTR 76-1 of the image generating device 61-1 with the corresponding channel is reproduced, which is output from a transmitter-receiver circuit 72-1 to the spectacle-type display 51-1 through an antenna 71-1 on a radio wave. In the spectacle-type display 51-1, this radio wave is demodulated to observe an image on an LCD thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating an article includes a first housing member mountable on a side of the article conveyor, and a second housing member mountable on the opposite side of the article conveyor. A motor having a shaft is mounted on the first housing member. The motor is arranged to drive a frictional drive roller. The frictional drive roller in turn drives a first end portion of an approaching article. A pin is mounted on the second housing member and arranged to contact a second end portion, i.e., a second end portion opposite the first end portion, of the article while the frictional drive roller drives the first end portion. The pin functions to inhibit motion of the second end portion and thereby establishes a pivot position about which the article rotates approximately ninety degrees.

Abstract: The apparatus is to be reduced in size and consumption of utility items is to be decreased, while the connection is to be facilitated by the in-line transporting system. The grinding apparatus includes a turntable 21 for securing a glass master disc 30 for rotating the glass master disc 30, a polishing pad 11 caused to bear against the grinding surface of the glass master disc 30 secured to the turntable 21 with a pre-set pressure and a slurry nozzle 14 for supplying the grinding liquid to the grinding surface of the glass master disc 30. The polishing pad 11 is thrust against the glass master disc 30 rotated by rotation of the turntable 21. The glass master disc 30 has its grinding surface ground as the grinding liquid is supplied to the grinding surface.