Abstract: A system for playing back prerecorded signals from a spirally-grooved and rotatable record includes a carriage mounted for lateral motion relative to a motorboard of the system in correlation with lateral motion of a groove-riding stylus during playback. A stylus arm cartridge, enclosing a stylus arm supporting a stylus at one end thereof, is subject to reception in a compartment provided in the carriage. The second end of the stylus arm is pivoted in the cartridge. A first end of a leaf spring, provided for urging the stylus into the record groove during playback, is secured to the stylus. A second end of the leaf spring is secured to a ball which is friction loaded into a socket provided in the cartridge. Adjustment of angular orientation of the ball in the socket provides control of the stylus/record tracking pressure, and the lateral position of the stylus arm in the cartridge.

Abstract: Colored light from a scene is spatially encoded onto a photosensitive surface by a striped spatial color encoding filter assembly. The filter assembly comprises a plurality of superimposed gratings for encoding a plurality of colors, at least one grating having its stripes disposed angularly from the direction of scanning lines on the photosensitive surface such that a color representative carrier wave of different phase is produced during successive scanning intervals. The plurality of color representative carrier waves produced by scanning of the imaged gratings on the photosensitive surface may have the same frequency during any line scanning interval thus minimizing the spectrum required to convey full color information, and are separated from each other by comb filter apparatus for producing different color representative signals.

Abstract: A pickup cartridge encloses a stylus arm carrying a stylus at one end thereof. The other end of the stylus arm is secured to a connector plate via a compliant member. A spring releasably clamps the stylus arm in a retracted position. A pair of elastic straps extend between a pair of spaced end ribs. The rear end of the cartridge has a pair of hooks for releasably retaining the pair of spaced end ribs. The rear surfaces of the elastic straps are at a certain angle with respect to the front surfaces thereof. The connector plate is secured to the slanted rear surfaces of the elastic straps to establish an angular orientation of the connector plate relative to the cartridge so that, when the stylus arm is held in the retracted position in the cartridge, the compliant member is unstressed. The connector plate is adapted to be rotated upon reception of the cartridge in a player to permit the stylus arm to protrude outside the confines of the cartridge without stressing the compliant member.

Abstract: Video disc record is provided with a spiral information track containing recorded representations of composite video signals. The information representations occupying the length of each convolution of the spiral depart slightly from an integral number of field intervals by a fixed amount. The departure amount is such that the information content per spiral convolution corresponds to a given integral number of line intervals plus a predetermined fraction of a line interval (other than one-half). Synchronizing information locations is successive convolutions are thus staggered in a spiral manner. Recording apparatus for forming such a record includes means for maintaining the rate of rotation of a recording turntable substantially constant at a rate which differs from an integral submultiple of the field rate of the composite video signals supplied to the recorded by an appropriate small amount.

Abstract: Video disc record is provided with a spiral information track containing recorded representations of composite video signals. The information representations occupying the length of each convolution of the spiral depart slightly from an integral number of field intervals by a fixed amount. The departure amount is such that the information content per spiral convolution corresponds to a given integral number of line intervals plus a predetermined fraction of a line interval (other than one-half). Synchronizing information locations in successive convolutions are thus staggered in a spiral manner. Recording apparatus for forming such a record includes apparatus for maintaining the rate of rotation of a recording turntable substantially constant at a rate which differs from an integral submultiple of the field rate of the composite video signals supplied to the recorder by an appropriate small amount.

Abstract: Video disc record is provided with a spiral information track containing recorded representations of composite video signals. The information represents occupying the length of each convolution of the spiral depart slightly from an integral number of field intervals by a fixed amount. The departure amount is such that the information content per spiral convolution corresponds to a given integral number of line intervals plus a predetermined fraction of a line interval (other than one-half). Synchronizing information locations in successive convolutions are thus staggered in a spiral manner. In record player apparatus for such a record, a power line synchronous drive system is employed to control rotation of the player's turntable.

Abstract: In a video disc player, a first FM signal recovered from the disc is subject to frequency demodulation to obtain a composite color video signal, and a second FM signal recovered from the disc is also demodulated to obtain an accompanying sound signal. The player includes a defect detector, monitoring the first FM signal to identify carrier frequency departures from the intended deviation range, and switching apparatus for effecting a substitution of stored video signals, in replacement of the output of the video FM detector, when the defect detector identifies such departures. A squelch control signal generator is rendered responsive to an output of the defect detector, and develops a squelch signal when the defect indication persists beyond a predetermined minimum length of time. The squelch signal is employed to inhibit the passage of sound and video signals to player output terminals.

Abstract: Video disc player pickup circuit recovers picture information in the form of carrier waves, the instantaneous frequency of which varies over a given deviation range in accordance with the amplitude of composite color video signals, in the course of pickup tracking of successive convolutions of the disc record's groove. Succeeding the innermost groove convolution containing recorded picture information are a plurality of groove convolutions containing an end-of-recording signal comprising unmodulated carrier waves at a given instantaneous frequency within said deviation range. Signal processing circuitry of the video disc player includes a sync separator for separating a deflection synchronizing component from the composite color video signals recovered during playback of the groove convolutions containing picture information.

Abstract: An electron optical column apparatus, including a source of electrons, is operable in either a setup or a probe mode. In the setup mode, the electron source is magnified in an image plane for examination of the source by a Faraday cup prior to operation of the column in the probe mode. In the probe mode, the electron source is demagnified on an object surface, for example, for recording video signals on a record medium.

Abstract: Recording apparatus for use in the mastering of a color picture/sound disc includes a source of composite color video signals in which chrominance information appears as sideband components of a chrominance subcarrier interleaved with luminance signal components in an intermediate region of a band occupied by luminance signal components; means for frequency modulating a first carrier over a high frequency deviation range in accordance with composite video signal amplitude; a source of accompanying audio signals; means for frequency modulating a second carrier over a low frequency deviation range in accordance with the audio signal amplitude; means for combining the two modulator outputs, means for clipping the resultant signal; and SEM recorder apparatus responsive to the clipper output for exposing successive groove bottom regions of a disc master coated with electron sensitive material in a manner establishing, upon development, a desired groove bottom depression pattern.

Abstract: In playback of a video record (e.g., in video disc form) employing a FM carrier recording format, a defect compensation system is provided which substitutes delayed video signals for current video signals when a defect is encountered. The current video signals are obtained from the output of the player's pickup-responsive FM detector (illustratively of the zero-crossing detector type) via appropriate frequency responsive circuitry comprising a low pass filter (encompassing the recorded video signal bandwidth: e.g., 0-3 MHz.). To detect the occurrence of a defect, the FM detector output is also supplied to additional frequency responsive circuitry having a wideband response which desirably extends from DC to an upper frequency limit (e.g., 0-6 MHz.) well above the highest frequency of the video signal subject to recording.

Abstract: An electron gun apparatus comprises a cathode subassembly which is movably mounted relative to a fixedly mounted and registered grid/anode subassembly to permit mechanical adjustment of the cathode with respect to the grid/anode subassembly. An evacuated chamber, including resilient bellows interconnecting the movably mounted cathode assembly to the fixedly mounted grid/anode subassembly for permitting the mechanical adjustment, houses the cathode and the grid/anode subassemblies. Means are provided for electrical energization of the cathode, the grid, and the anode. According to a further feature of the invention, the cathode comprises a line filament, and the grid and the anode are slotted for providing an elongated line image.

Abstract: Comb filter apparatus for separating interleaved luminance and chrominance components of a composite color video signal employs a clock controlled delay line of the CCD type to which the composite signal is applied. A VCO supplies clock signals to the CCD delay line, and to a frequency divider. The output of the frequency divider is compared in phase with a color synchronizing component of the undelayed composite color video signal to develop an error signal, which is applied to the VCO in a sense opposing departures from a predetermined phase relationship between the divider output and the synchronizing component. Spurious frequency variations of composite signal components (e.g., accompanying recovery of composite signal by playback of a video disc) are followed by the VCO in a manner assuring that accurate combing of the composite signals occurs at the outputs of circuits providing desired combinations of the delay line input and output.

Abstract: Apparatus provides improved comb filtering of color video signals subject to frequency errors. A charge transfer delay line, part of a comb filter, is caused to vary in delay time in consonance with the frequency errors in the color video signal. A modulator, frequency translates the color video signal such that an associated color synchronization component is translated to a desired frequency. The color synchronization component is compared in frequency to a reference and difference signal generated to control the delay of the above-mentioned delay line and stabilize the frequency of the color synchronization component.

Abstract: In a video disc player including a base, an information disc record mounted on a turntable for rotation relative to the base, a support housing carrying a signal pickup, and a lid for supporting the support housing, an overhead signal pickup drive is provided. A centering collar is rotatably suspended in the lid by a plurality of spring elements such that, when the lid is secured onto the base for playback, the axis of rotation of the collar coincides with that of the turntable. A plurality of friction pads are affixed to the collar such that, when the lid is closed, the friction pads are pressed against the unrecorded surface of the disc record and thereby transmitting rotation of the disc record to the collar when the player is operative. The rotation of the collar is transformed into a linear motion of the support housing, carrying the signal pickup, by various right-angle drives and clutch arrangements.

Abstract: A signal pickup stylus which cooperates with an information storing spiral groove on a video disc record is caused to selectively skip groove convolutions of the disc record to produce special effects including stop, fast-forward and reverse motion of the displayed image.

Abstract: Heated material is injected into an annular cavity, defined by a pair of mold-halves, through a sprue passage, defined by a sprue bushing and an end portion of a punch. The annular cavity and the sprue passage form, respectively, the centrally apertured part and a sprue. After partial cooling of the heated material, the punch is locked in place while the annular cavity is displaced relative to the sprue passage so that the sprue is severed from the part along the peripheral surface of the punch end portion. The mold halves are separated to open the annular cavity while the sprue is resting on the punch end portion, and while the part is held by the punch end peripheral surface. After the mold halves are separated, a sprue ejector member and a part ejector member are actuated to eject, respectively, the sprue and the part from the punch end portion.

Abstract: One type of video disc reproducing system senses the capacitance between a stylus and a disc record to reconstruct the video information. The stylus includes a thin conductive element or electrode and rides in a groove of the record, which is rotated at high speeds. The record includes a conductive layer covered with a thin dielectric material. A velocity correction system comprising a closed-loop feedback system provides an advantageous means to vary the position of the pickup means relative to the moving record. This positioning maintains the relative velocity between the two substantially constant for a given radius from the center of rotation, thus correcting for residual velocity errors. There is disclosed a transducer apparatus which is mechanically coupled to the signal pickup means and electrically coupled to circuitry providing a velocity error signal. The transducer has a stationary portion which includes means for generating a magnetic flux.

Abstract: In a video disc system for recovering prerecorded signals from a disc record by a signal pickup including a turntable, turntable drive means, and turntable speed adjusting means, a turntable speed control system is provided for maintaining the rotation of the turntable at a predetermined speed. Means responsive to the rotation of the turntable generate sample pulses having a frequency which is a function of the actual speed of rotation of the turntable. The sample pulse occur at a predetermined frequency when the turntable is rotating at the predetermined speed. Means are employed for generating a sawtooth-shaped reference wave having a frequency which is a multiple of the predetermined frequency. A sample-and-hold circuit is coupled to the sample pulse generating means and reference wave generating means for determining the magnitude of the reference wave during the occurrence of each of the sample pulses for developing a speed error correction signal.

Abstract: A cutterhead assembly suitable for forming a topographic signal-representative pattern in a recording medium such as a disc is constructed with non-parallel external surfaces so as to provide a response relatively free of undesired resonant modes over a relatively wide frequency range. The cutterhead includes a cutting stylus supported in a stylus mount. The stylus mount and therefore the stylus are driven by a piezoelectric element which is mounted on a supporting pedestal. A resilient mounting means is utilized to fasten the supporting pedestal to a mounting bracket.