Abstract: In a method and apparatus for generating musical accompaniment signals corresponding to a musical program, there is provided a recording medium which has an audio storage unit and a lyric storage unit separate from the audio storage unit. The audio storage unit and the lyric storage unit respectively have a plurality of audio music data and a plurality of lyric data corresponding to a plurality of the musical programs stored therein. The lyric data include encoded text data and timing information. In operation, the audio music data and the lyric data corresponding to a selected one of the musical programs are retrieved from the recording medium. The encoded text data and timing information retrieved from the recording medium are decoded to obtain decoded data, and bitmap data are then generated from the decoded data. The bitmap data are synchronized with the audio music data retrieved from the recording medium in accordance with the timing information.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for generating audio-visual musical accompaniment signals corresponding to a musical program, there is provided a recording medium which has an audio storage unit, a lyric storage unit and a video storage unit separate from the audio storage unit and the lyric storage unit. The audio storage unit and the lyric storage unit respectively have a plurality of audio music data and a plurality of lyric data corresponding to a plurality of the musical programs stored therein. The video storage unit has a plurality of video segments to be commonly shared by the plurality of the musical programs stored therein. In operation, the audio music data and the lyric data corresponding to a selected one of the musical programs are retrieved from the recording medium, while at least a section of the video segments are retrieved from the recording medium in an order.

Abstract: A bar feed mechanism for a machine tool comprising at least one cylindrical tube adapted to be aligned with a spindle of the machine tool, a piston movable in the tube, a shaft rotatably secured to the piston, a centering sleeve rotatably mounted on the shaft and axially movable thereon, center elements secured to the shaft at the end remote from the piston, a bushing at the end of the tube adjacent the machine tool having an orifice which permits passage of the center means therethrough but retains the centering sleeve, an hydraulic pressure inlet for admitting pressure fluid behind the piston to cause movement thereof in a feeding direction, apparatus to admit pressure fluid between the piston and centering sleeve, and pressure relief apparatus to permit discharge of pressure fluid from the tube between the piston and centering sleeve when the sleeve abuts the bushing, thereby permitting continued movement of the piston, shaft and center elements in the feeding direction.