Abstract: An apparatus includes a digital-to-analog converter operable to produce an analog output signal in response to a digital input signal, a final word clock signal CLK signal, and a final voltage reference signal; and a noise compensation circuit operable to receive an initial word clock signal and an initial voltage reference signal and to produce the final word clock signal and the final voltage reference signal such that errors in the analog output signal due to at least one of timing noise on the initial word clock signal and amplitude noise on the initial voltage reference signal are reduced.

Abstract: A fastener/shaft locking and adjustment apparatus and locking system which precisely positions, positively locks and avoids slippage of a positive locking nut along an elongated element. The positive locking nut includes a locking spline, an outer knurled cylinder, a rotatable spline, a return spring and a threaded nut. The locking spline includes a key member extending into the passage thereof which is engaged in the channel of the elongated element such that the locking spline does not rotate with respect to the elongated element. The locking spline further includes a first gear along an outer surface thereof which is capable of meshing engagement with a second gear provided along an inner circumferential cavity of the rotatable spline to lock the locking nut at its desired position along the elongated element.

Abstract: An improved squeegee for a screen printing system. A squeegee with two substantially rectangular shaped elements adjacent each other and each having a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axes are not aligned and instead intersect at an angle unequal to zero. Alternatively, the improved squeegee for a screen printing system may include a center section with outward projections, a first substantially rectangular shaped element adjacent the center section and having a first longitudinal axis and a second substantially rectangular shaped element adjacent to the center section and having a second longitudinal axis, the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis intersecting at an angle unequal to zero.

Abstract: A compact disc printing nest for retaining a compact disc along a transportation mechanism which moves the printing nest into a position such that one surface of the compact disc can be screen printed with artwork and/or designs. The compact disc printing nest includes a bottom plate capable of being rigidly secured to the transportation mechanism and a top plate having a receptacle provided in an upper surface thereof for accommodating the compact disc therein and thereby exposing a surface of the compact disc to be screen printed. A magnetic mounting assembly is provided for mounting the top plate with respect to the lower plate to provide for easy removal of the top plate for cleaning and replacement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating an optical disk mother or stamper wherein the number of processing steps is greatly reduced from the prior art methods. In particular, the present invention involves directly forming a mother or stamper by direct laser ablation of a conductive metal substrate. More specifically, a stream of coded digital information (for example, representing the content of an encyclopedia in the case of CD ROM or a classical music collection in the case of CD audio) is converted into a corresponding plurality of pits and lands in the conductive metal substrate by electronically switching the beam of a first laser on and off via an electro or acusto-optic modulator (EOM/AOM) in response to the digital information. As a result, selective portions of the conductive substrate are either ablated (in the case where the laser is on) thereby directly creating the pits, or the substrate is left unaltered (in the case where the laser is off) thereby creating lands.

Abstract: A super high resolution rotary optical encoder having as its disk an optical disk, i.e., a disk employing the optical principle of non-contact readout based on diffraction theory. The encoder is adapted to be coupled to a device of which it is desired to measure the rotational motion thereof. The encoder includes an optical disk having, at a fixed radial distance, at least one track of pits and lands; a coupler for coupling the optical disk to the device such that rotary motion of the device results in a corresponding rotary motion of the optical disk; and an optical disk pick-up for generating an output in response to the pits and lands indicative of the rotary motion of the device.

Abstract: A screen printing apparatus has a base frame 1 in the shape of a convex-rectangle, four, tensioning rods 2 attached a printing screen fabric 5, four pair of collars 4 and four pair of bearing blocks 3. The bearing blocks 3 are attached to the base frame 1 to hold the tensioning rods 2 in place. The tensioning rods 2 are rotated in a predetermined direction to increase tension of the printing screen fabric 5. The collars 4 lock the tensioning rods in place.

Abstract: An optical disc player adapted to read an optical disc having a plurality of pits and lands representative of information stored on the optical disc; the optical disc being at least in part unmetallized. The player includes a semiconductor laser for generating a variable power laser beam, the power of the beam being controlled by a control signal applied to a control terminal of a semiconductor laser driver. A focusing servo is provided for focusing the beam on the optical disc such that a portion of the beam is reflected back from the optical disc indicative of the pits or lands. The portion of the beam reflected back from the optical disc being substantially less from unmetallized portions of the disc than from metallized portions of the disc. The focusing servo has a focal point constrained to lock on a pit plane of the optical disc.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for recording information from a master medium onto a slave medium. In one embodiment, digital information on a master medium is reproduced and stored at a first rate, typically at real time, in a first high speed digital storage device such as a magnetic disk drive. The digital information stored in the first storage device, when needed, is transferred at a second rate, much higher than the first, to a second digital storage device in which it is stored until it is scheduled for duplication, at which time the digital information is repeatedly played back at a third rate, much higher than the first rate and slower than the second rate, is converted from digital information into analog information and applied to a duplicating device for recording the analog information onto a slave medium.

Abstract: A system for defacing compact discs so as destroy information stored thereon includes a defacer unit and a feed unit for feeding discs one at a time, with vertical orientation, to the defacer unit. A falling vertically-oriented disc is caught and held between two sets of driven endless rubber belts which transport the disc between opposed knurling wheels which embed grooves in opposite sides of the disc substrate without, however, cracking the substrate. The knurling wheels are designed to give the grooves an identifiable pattern.

Abstract: A method for removing the lacquer and aluminum coatings from the polycarbonate substrate of scrap compact discs so as to reclaim the polycarbonate includes the steps of immersing the discs in a an alkaline solution, heating the solution to a predetermined temperature and mechanically agitating the immersed discs by applying ultrasonic energy to the solution at a sufficient energy density and for a sufficient time to dissolve the lacquer and the aluminum into the solution. The solution containing the dissolved lacquer and aluminum is decanted from the stripped polycarbonate discs, the discs are washed with water to remove remanent alkaline solution, and then dried.

Abstract: A package for the retail display of a compact disc includes the hingedly connected base and cover of the conventional "jewel box", and a tray in which the disc is removably secured by a circular array of flexible fingers, in which the tray differs from the conventional tray in that it is transparent, instead of opaque, and has a narrow slot formed in the elevated portion which extends along its entire length. The compact disc is placed face down in the tray, and the tray is placed face down in the conventional box cover with the slot in the elevated portion receiving and firmly engaging the hinged-end wall of the base to thereby jamb the hinge and lock the box full-open. The locked-open box is shrink-wrapped with transparent film so as to make artwork on the disc itself, and other artwork placed on other available surfaces, clearly visible to browsing purchasers.