Abstract: An analog to digital circuit assembly includes a circuit for multiplexing a reference voltage input of an analog to digital converter to produce alternating normalized and referenced digital outputs of an analog signal input at a rate controlled by a sampling clock which includes a switch including first and second inputs, an output, and a control input for alternately connecting the first and the second inputs to the output, the output being applied to the reference voltage input. An information detection device having a detection output and a servo mechanism that controls operations on detected information is provided in conjunction with a signal summing circuit, a direct current voltage reference, a control clock connected, a servo error signal circuit having a servo error signal output and input, a sampling clock, and a processing circuit having an input connected to a digital output of the analog to digital converter and an output for controlling the servo mechanism.

Abstract: A cartridge unloading apparatus for a disk drive having a cartridge loading end, a remote end, and a base plate. The apparatus is employed for tiltably unloading the disk from a spindle magnet with a peeling action. The apparatus includes first and second sliders positioned relative the ends of the disk drive. The sliders each have only one S-shaped slot formed therein. Each slider has a slot to receive one of the two lifting pins provided on a cartridge receiver. The movement of the sliders drives the lifting pins along the slots, thereby raising or lowering the cartridge receiver depending upon the direction of rotation of the tiller. The sliding motion of the lifting pins engaged in the S-shaped slots thus unloads a disk from or, alternatively, loads the disk onto the drive spindle.

Abstract: An encoder converts a binary data word to a binary code word. The encoded bits have first and second binary values at a predetermined clock interval. A pulse generator responds to the encoded bits to generate energizing pulses during each clock interval in which the encoded bits have the first binary value. The energizing pules have a uniform duration less than the clock interval. A laser responds to the energizing pulses for recording on a medium.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture is provided for tracking the distribution of content electronically. First, an electronic storage medium tracking identifier is incorporated onto an electronic storage medium and stored on a database. Next, a package tracking identifier is situated onto a package in which the electronic storage medium is stored. The electronic storage medium is then tracked while being shipped between various entities using the tracking identifier on the package. Further, the electronic storage medium may be identified using the tracking identifier on the electronic storage medium in order to afford various advertising, security, support, or retail-related features.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording data includes a source of digital data arranged into data words having a given number of bits and a converter that converts the data words to code words having one more bit than the given number using a group code recording format. The code words include a binary signal having first and second binary values at a given clock interval determined by a bit rate of the code words. The apparatus also includes a storage disk having a recording surface, a drive member for rotatably driving the disk, a laser having a focused beam, and a control assembly for directing the laser at the recording surface so that the beam accesses one of a plurality of concentric tracks on the recording surface. A circuit assembly provides a driving signal utilized for generating energizing pulses having a duration less than the clock interval when the binary signal has the first binary value.

Abstract: A method for moving an optical head from an initial track to a target track on a storage medium having data arranged in tracks thereon. The method includes determining a track crossing number indicating a number of tracks between the initial track and the target track, moving the optical head from the initial track toward the target track, and measuring a reflectivity level of light from the medium. The method continues with deriving a tracking error signal responsive to the reflectivity level. A waveform of the tracking error signal has zero crossings corresponding to the optical head crossing one of the tracks. The method may further include incrementing a track count number for each the zero crossing, and passing the reflectivity level through a high pass filter to obtain a data indicator signal. In this embodiment, a waveform of the data indicator signal has indicator points corresponding to the zero crossings.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for focus control of a beam of radiant energy, wherein a detector of the beam has first and second outputs responsive to a position of the beam. A circuit is coupled to the outputs of the detector for producing an error signal representing a displacement of the focus from a predetermined position, wherein the error signal has a periodic characteristic relative to the displacement. A servo responsive to the error signal restores the displaced beam to the predetermined position. A local feedback loop is coupled to the outputs of the detector, and includes first and second periodic function generators, each responsive to the error signal. The second periodic function generator has an output that differs from an output of the first periodic function generator by a phase angle, preferably 90 degrees. A first multiplier multiplies the first output of the detector by the output of the first periodic function generator.

Abstract: An apparatus for the ergonomic positioning of a computer pointing device comprising a generally planar support member, an armrest attachment member, an adjustable coupling for attaching the support member to the armrest attachment member, and a plurality of straps for mounting the armrest attachment member onto the armrest of a chair. The adjustable coupling provides for rotational positioning of the support member around an axis parallel to the user's line of sight to the monitor, tilt positioning of the support member around an axis perpendicular to the user's axial line of sight to the monitor, and lateral positioning of the support member relative to the armrest attachment member. The armrest attachment member has a generally U-shaped cross-section adapted to fit over the existing armrest of a chair, and the attachment straps, which have Velcro™ fasteners or the like, fasten the armrest attachment member securely onto the armrest.

Abstract: An optical drive system includes an optical assembly, a light source, a lens positioned to direct light between the optical assembly and an information storage medium or disc, and an actuator suspending the lens. A photodetector is disposed in a path of returning light to measure light received from the medium. A monitoring circuit is provided to monitor a Quad Sum signal associated with return light. A first servomotor is employed to move the lens in a tracking direction and to move the lens during focus capture while system circuitry searches for a maximum Quad Sum signal. A second servomotor is employed to move the lens in a focusing direction. A first electronic circuit is provided to control the first and second servomotors.

Abstract: An improved system for recording and playing back digital information in a special pulse-length modulation format on a disc-shaped record. The digital information is stored in a succession of alternating marks and spaces, both having lengths that are discretely variable in accordance with a succession of multi-bit binary code blocks.

Abstract: A video record medium, such as a record disc, for recording a composite video and audio signal suitable for stop-motion playback, with accompanying audio. Discrete segments of analog audio signal are digitized and compressed in time and recorded on alternate tracks on the disc, and corresponding frames of a video signal are recorded on the tracks located therebetween. During playback of the disc, a selected audio track is scanned initially and the digital audio data recovered therefrom is entered into a memory device, after which the track for recording the corresponding video frame is scanned in a repeated fashion, to produce a stop-motion display of the frame, while the stored audio data is extracted from the memory device and converted back to an analog format, for simultaneous playback at its original speed.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically collecting and for analyzing information about time and work performed on a computer includes a hardware abstraction layer for monitoring activity on various user input devices. The system also includes the following elements: a data collector for monitoring certain portions of a user's computer activity and for logging into a log file those certain portions of a user's computer activity; a data analyzer for determining by following user-defined rules showing which portions of those certain portions of a user's computer activity constitutes continuous work activities, and how this work should be categorized by project and task with project; and an external interface for building the rules defining work. The data collector includes a resident module, such as a TSR (terminate-and-stay-resident) module, which extends the file system of the computer so that detailed records are kept of file activities.

Abstract: A video record medium, such as a record disc, for recording a composite video and audio signal suitable for stop-motion playback, with accompanying audio. Discrete segments of analog audio signal are digitized and compressed in time and recorded on alternate tracks on the disc, and corresponding frames of a video signal are recorded on the tracks located therebetween. During playback of the disc, a selected audio track is scanned initially and the digital audio data recovered therefrom is entered into a memory device, after which the track for recording the corresponding video frame is scanned in a repeated fashion, to produce a stop-motion display of the frame, while the stored audio data is extracted from the memory device and converted back to an analog format, for simultaneous playback at its original speed.

Abstract: A video record medium, such as a record disc, for recording a composite video and audio signal suitable for stop-motion playback, with accompanying audio. Discrete segments of analog audio signal are digitized and compressed in time and recorded on alternate tracks on the disc, and corresponding frames of a video signal are recorded on the tracks located therebetween. During playback of the disc, a selected audio track is scanned initially and the digital audio data recovered therefrom is entered into a memory device, after which the track for recording the corresponding video frame is scanned in a repeated fashion, to produce a stop-motion display of the frame, while the stored audio data is extracted from the memory device and converted back to an analog format, for simultaneous playback at its original speed.

Abstract: An technique is disclosed for focus control of a beam of radiant energy, wherein a detector of the beam has first and second outputs responsive to a position of the beam. A circuit is coupled to the outputs of the detector for producing an error signal representing a displacement of the focus from a predetermined position, wherein the error signal has a periodic characteristic relative to the displacement. A servo responsive to the error signal restores the displaced beam to the predetermined position. A local feedback loop is coupled to the outputs of the detector, and includes first and second periodic function generators, each responsive to the error signal. The second periodic function generator has an output that differs from an output of the first periodic function generator by a phase angle, preferably 90 degrees. A first multiplier multiplies the first output of the detector by the output of the first periodic function generator.

Abstract: A hairpin which gives hair the appearance of greater volume and thickness by using a support member which protrudes from the side of the lower leg of the hairpin at an acute angle and which extends substantially parallel to the legs of the hairpin. Hairs being held between the legs of the hairpin are elevated by the support member to a position above the upper leg of the pin and away from the scalp, thus giving the appearance of fuller, thicker hair.

Abstract: A device which monitors the head turn movement of a golfer during a golf swing. It gives the golfer instantaneous feedback by informing him whether his head turned prior to or after the golf club struck the ball. This feedback is done in the form of a digital LCD display of the time difference in milliseconds and also in the form of audible beeps. From this information, the golfer can make the necessary adjustments and corrections in the execution of his swing. The device is compact and portable. It is placed near the golf ball such that the ball lies directly between the golfer and the device. After the information is displayed, the device automatically resets and readies itself to monitor the next golf swing.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing sector location pulses to a controller of a rotating disk data storage device having a counter clocked in proportion to the disk rotation rate and an accumulator for accumulating times to sectors on the disk. A comparator connected to the counter and the accumulator enables an accumulator clock for repetitive clocking of the accumulator at such times the contents of the accumulator do not exceed the contents of the counter. A sector location pulse generator connected to the comparator generates the controller pulses, when enabled, concurrently with the accumulator clock signals. A master reset generator resets the first counter and the accumulator each time an index location on the disk passes a transducer head used to read and write data to and from the disk and a partial reset generator resets the accumulator each time the transducer head is moved between tracks on the disk.