Abstract: Longitudinal recording apparatus for producing a slow motion display of scene information that has been recorded on a magnetic recording medium is disclosed. In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment, the recording medium is periodically transported in accordance with either a forward or reverse transport cycle during which a frame of scene information is played back from the recording medium and stored in a frame storage device for repeated display on a video monitor. Transportation of the recording medium in accordance with successive forward transport cycles results in a forward slow motion display of scene information, while successive reverse transport cycles result in a reverse slow motion display of scene information.

Abstract: The concept of the disclosed invention is to interleave a data bit stream with itself in such a way that the respective interleaved portions are displaced from each other, within the medium, by a distance corresponding to at least the statistical maximum size of the defects. In the event, during playback, that a dropout should occur, that dropout--inherently--must affect both interleaved portions. Therefore, by continuously delaying timewise one such interleaved playback portion relative to the other for a time sufficient to bring the two playback portions into sync with each other, the original bit stream may be reconstituted by toggling back and forth between the two playback portions each time a dropout is detected in either playback portion.

Abstract: A video disc system adapted for use with a recordable, master storage, video disc and a prerecorded, transfer storage, video disc comprises a turntable for rotating the master disc and the transfer disc in synchronism, a playback head for reading the video signals recorded on the transfer disc, electronic circuitry for editing the video signals read by the playback head, and a record head for recording the edited video signals onto the master disc.

Abstract: In a fast frame recorder having (1) a video camera adapted to produce signals corresponding to a variety of frame rates, (2) a variable speed tape recorder adapted to down-convert the frame rate of the camera signals to a reference frame rate by appropriately reducing the recorder tape speed to a reference speed, and (3) a display monitor adapted to receive the reference frame rate signals, the camera thereof may be adjusted for various scene and frame rate conditions without need to record the camera frame rate signals (for purposes of signal down-conversion). This is, in accordance with the invention, achieved by selecting a certain line (or lines) from each frame of the camera output signal, and applying such selected lines directly to the display monitor. Skipping from line to line in the camera output signal has the effect of down-converting the frame rate of the camera output signal as required.

Abstract: The concept of the invention is to format any bit stream which is to be recorded into a succession of data blocks, each of which corresponds lengthwise to at least the length of the largest defect statistically known to exist in the surface. The data blocks are grouped into data segments, with each data segment (1) being of a length corresponding to no more than the minimum length statistically known to exist between defects and (2) comprising (at least) two less data blocks (which shall be hereinafter sometimes referred to as "vacant blocks") than may be accommodated within a data segment.

Abstract: The concept of the disclosed invention is to discern the start and end of bytes within a bit stream without the provision of special sync-defining bits, utilizing for such purpose the statistical character of the bit stream. Because actual signal processing circuits inherently do not have sharp cutoffs, this means that aliasing-free sampling of an analog signal must be at some sampling rate greater than twice the highest frequency (of interest) within the analog signal. Since the sampling in question is above the theoretically lowest possible sampling frequency, even the highest frequency components within the analog signal so sampled will be sampled at more than twice per cycle; and, attendantly, after the analog signal samples are quantized into a bit stream, a statistical distribution relating to the frequency at which the bits in the bit stream switch their states will become apparent . . .

Abstract: Batch practices of magnetic film deposition and circuit structuring are merged upon a common semiconductor substrate (chip) for both circuit and head parts. As to any one head being formed, the substrate is suitably doped and metallized to form electronics designed for cooperation with such head; then, thin films (cores) of magnetic material are deposited on the semiconductor substrate for cooperation with the electronics. After the thin film head cores are appropriately gapped, a (common) yoke is brought into contact with them . . . the substrate being thereafter contoured through its underside to expose the thin film core gaps.

Abstract: By means of the invention, hard copy prints having customized color composition and contrast are provided. To effect such customizing, apparatus according to the invention derives color composition information directly from the face of the television set the display of which is to be copied. Having normalized the sensitivity of the hard copy printer so that its copy-print color-matches the display of the television set in question, the television set is adjusted to one's personal taste. Then a wand, as is preferred, is brought against the picture-tube face of the television set to pick off the preselected color composition of the image to be copied, thereby to set the color exposure within the hard copy printer. Attendantly, the printer produces a print virtually precisely like that to which the television set was subjectively adjusted.

Abstract: To provide a thin film magnetic head having good low frequency response, the invention teaches the use of a movable mask technique whereby a first deposited magnetic film is provided with a tapered, or knife-, edge. Gap spacer material is then deposited on the film knife-edge. Thereafter, a second magnetic film is deposited atop the knife-edge, as well as on the same substrate that supports the first magnetic film. What results, therefore, is a slant gap thin film magnetic head having good low frequency response.

Abstract: A magnetic head has an array of cores the transducer gaps of which are aligned in a row. Each core--unlike most prior art cores--has a high reluctance back gap; and bridging the back gap of all such cores is a common magnetic wire. Pursuant to the invention, a domain wall is created in the film on the magnetic wire; and such domain wall is thereafter caused to propagate along the length of the wire. Whenever the domain wall resides in the back gap of a given core in the array of cores, that back gap has low reluctance, thereby turning ON the core in question. All other cores remain OFF until the propagating domain wall resides at their respective back gaps.

Abstract: Flux sensitive apparatus, in one form thereof, employs paired thin single domain magnetic film structures, the easy magnetization axes of which are canted with respect to the direction of sense current flow therewithin. The magnetization vectors of the film structures are opposite with respect to each other, thereby to preclude, or at least lessen, demagnetization fields associated with the structures. By special connections between the thin film structures, the respective sense currents therein are provided with the same spatial direction of flow; and mutual biasing of the structures is thereby avoided.

Abstract: A multitrack magnetic head is made from an electrically conductive first helix formed on an iron wire that is, in turn, wound to form a second helix. By cutting or lapping a longitudinal flat along one side of the second helix, the first helix is severed into respective discrete coil-wound gapped cores.

Abstract: With a tape container inserted into the disclosed recorder, two reel drives, two tape guiding and tensioning devices, and a capstan "all" enter cutouts within the tape container. Actuation of a thread-up mechanism within the recorder then causes the following: the capstan is repositioned, thereby urging tape about itself by withdrawing tape from the tape container; the reel-drives engage respectively the supply and take-up reels within the tape container, thereby effectively removing the reels from all contact with and within the tape container; and the tape-guiding and tensioning devices guidingly withdraw additional tape from the tape container so that, except for contact with the tape container reels, the tape has virtually no other contact of any kind with any part of the tape container. Thus, functionally, the tape is transported in reel-to-reel fashion despite the use of a customer-convenience cassette-like tape container.

Abstract: A multitrack magnetic head is made from an electrically conductive first helix formed on an iron wire that is, in turn, wound to form a second helix. By longitudinally cutting along one side of the second helix, the first helix is severed into respective coils on discrete gapped cores.

Abstract: To provide a thin film magnetic head having good low frequency response, the invention teaches the use of a movable mask technique whereby a first deposited magnetic film is provided with a tapered, or knife-, edge. Gap spacer material is then deposited on the film knife-edge. Thereafter, a second magnetic film is deposited atop the knife-edge, as well as on the same substrate that supports the first magnetic film. What results, therefore, is a slant gap thin film magnetic head having good low frequency response.

Abstract: Apparatus squeezes together, on selective command, the poles of a core having a gap of a given physical gap length, thereby to place the poles under stress. Stress decreases the permeability of the pole material. Attendantly, in response to the application of stress, the effective gap of the core lengthens. Release of the applied stress restores the effective gap length to that corresponding to the physical gap length. To increase pole stress, the invention employs a piezoelectric element that is bonded to the core across its gap. Application of an electrical signal (of predetermined polarity) to the piezoelectric element causes the element to contract, thereby squeezing the poles together.

Abstract: Prior art quadruplex head assemblies (equipped with metal heads) are detachable for purposes of refurbishment with ferrite heads. The concept of the invention is to mount corrective compensation circuits to each such refurbished quadruplex head assembly so that recordings by means of ferrite heads resemble recordings by metal heads. As a result, recordings produced by ferrite and metal heads are interchangeably playable on the same recorder without adjustment thereto. The compensation circuits are such that they self-disable during signal playback.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for recording information on a tape record medium, and for playing back previously recorded information therefrom without interrupting the recording operation.

Abstract: Whether for the recording of parallel or serially occurring information, the general concept of the invention is to record sample (or bit) data in the form of damped ringing signals (e.g. of the form (sin x)/x) and to provide relative delay between the recordings of adjacent tracks so that the principal peak of one recorded signal falls on a zero crossing of another, and vice versa. Since the peaks of no two adjacent signals occur--in the case, for example, of magnetic tape--at the same longitudinal position of the tape, isolation between the signals--as recorded on the tape--is effected. By suitably sampling the signals on the tape during playback, the original signal may be reproduced.

Abstract: A flux-responsive magnetic head having a transducer gap also has first and second back gaps across which, respectively, are first and second thin film magnetoresistive elements. The elements have similarly oriented magnetization vectors and, as such, the magnetoresistive elements are differentially responsive to flux entering said transducer gap. Spurious fields, however, have no differential effect on the resistances of the magnetoresistive elements. In a preferred form of the invention, an additional, similar working, pair of magnetoresistive elements is employed across the back gaps, such additional elements not only providing increased signal response, but also serving as keepers for the first pair of magnetoresistive elements.