Abstract: A method and apparatus for causing a remote controller to execute a sequence of instructions at a preprogrammed time. A remote controller includes a timer and may be used to turn on the various components of an electronic entertainment system including a recording device and to transmit a starting sequence which causes the recording device to record. After the selected duration of time expires the remote controller stops and recording device from recording and turns off the components of the system or causes other instructions to be performed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for encoding full color video data signals and a protocol for encoding the same in a storage medium. Each pixel of a full color video image is converted into a single 8 bit luminance and multiple 8 bit chrominance components. The 8 bit luminance component is differentially compressed into 5 bits while the chrominance components are subsampled for every four pixels of the video image before being differentially compressed. The differentially compressed subsampled chrominance components and the differentially compressed luminance components are then assembled into a video data signal related to the full color image.

Abstract: A bracket for mounting components in a housing in which a first set of two legs extend from and substantially perpendicular to one surface of a plate and a second set of at least two legs extend from and perpendicular to the opposite surface of the plate. The bracket is connectable to the floor of the housing to support a first component at a predetermined height in said housing and is reversible to support a component of a greater height than the first component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording and reading both permanently stored information and user-supplied information on an optical disk are disclosed. The optical disk is provided with permanent information via pits in a substrate of the disk. User-supplied information is recorded in an expansion/retention layer adjacent the substrate. The permanent and user-supplied information may be read via laser beams having unequal wavelengths.

Abstract: A cassette device for cleaning portions of a video cassette recorder is provided. The cassette device includes a first fluid applicator and a second fluid applicator, the second fluid applicator positioned to wet a portion of tape spaced from the portion wetted by the first applicator. Preferably, the second applicator also acts to position the tape to be spaced from the scanner in one circumferential portion of the scanner. The second applicator is fixedly, non-rotatably mounted to the cassette.

Abstract: A subwoofer system for providing acoustic energy is provided. The subwoofer or full-range speaker enclosure is divided into at least three chambers. A first speaker acoustically couples the first chamber with the third chamber. A second speaker acoustically couples the second chamber with the third chamber. A first port acoustically couples the first chamber to the exterior of the enclosure. A second port acoustically couples the second chamber to either the first chamber or the exterior of the enclosure. The speakers are driven out-of-phase with respect to the third chamber so as to maintain the third chamber in a substantially constant-pressure state.

Abstract: A system for refreshing dynamic random access memory that does not request the bus from the CPU prior to performing a refresh operation. The system initiates a refresh operation when the end of a CPU bus cycle is signalled and stores status and address data if the CPU initiates a new CPU bus cycle prior to the completion of the refresh operation.

Abstract: A method of achieving a bulk erasure of a dye polymer optical storage media which includes a substrate, an expansion layer, and a retention layer. The optical storage media is placed into a temperature controlled environment in which the temperature is increased at a first prescribed rate to a prescribed temperature exceeding the glass transition temperature of the retention layer of the media. Above the glass transition temperature, the retention layer is transformed from a glass-like state to a viscoelastic state. While in the viscoelastic state, the retention layer shape conforms to the expansion layer to achieve the unrecorded media configuration (i.e. flat). The temperature of the controlled environment is maintained at the prescribed temperature for a specified period of time to achieve the bulk erasure, then reduced at a second prescribed rate. By controlling the prescribed temperature and specified time period, the media is erased in bulk providing an unrecorded media ready for use.

Abstract: A container (11) for storage of a tape cassette (19) uses a mechanism (17) which automatically lifts or extends the cassette at least partially from the container when opened, thereby providing easier access to the cassette. The pushing mechanism uses a driver bar (17) mounted on driver pins (33) and positioned near the back (45) of the cassette when the container is closed. As the cover (13) is opened, the driver pins (33) sweep an arc about a hinge (23) connecting the cover with a base (15), and the driver bar (17) mounted on the pins will push the cassette from its stored position to an extended position to provide enhanced access for the user. In other embodiments, the pushing mechanism can include an elongated driver pin (33a) without the driver bar (17); the pin sweeps out an arc and pushes the cassette to the extended position.

Abstract: A remote controller capable of learning and later transmitting infrared signals transmitted by any other remote controller. The remote controller determines which of four modes of transmission a signal is transmitted in, including carrier mode, pulse mode, frequency shift keying mode and continuous wave mode. Once the type of signal is determined the controller learns each signal, saves them and later replays them to control a remote device.

Abstract: A device (38) for indicating to an operator (22) of a forklift (12) the tilt angle (32) of the tines (33) of the fork (28). The device includes a sensor (40) and an indicator display (42) which can be adjusted to a particular offset or calibrated to display the tilt angle of the forks.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for providing improved data mark formation on an optical disc is disclosed. The amplitude of a laser write beam in an optical recording system is varied during application of the mark. Additionally, the illumination period of the laser is adjusted to account for differences between the actual length of a formed data mark and the desired length of a data mark.

Abstract: An intelligent help system which processes information specific to a user and a system state is described. The system incorporates a monitoring device to determine which events to store as data in an historical queue. These data, as well as non-historical data (e.g., system state), are stored in a knowledge base. An inference engine tests rules against the knowledge base data, thereby providing a help tag. A display engine links the help tag with an appropriate solution tag to provide help text for display.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for password protecting a personal, laptop or single user computer. The user's password entry is compared to the value of a secondary password retained by the computer as well as the value of the user's stored primary password. The user may thus access the computer when his primary password is corrupted or forgotten by obtaining an alternate password from the computer manufacturer which matches the secondary password generated or stored by the computer. The operation of the method and the organization of the apparatus make the secondary and alternate passwords valid for a limited time, thereby preserving the overall integrity of the password protection system. The primary, secondary and alternate passwords may be encrypted for added security.

Abstract: An optical storage medium is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment a substrate is provided with an expansion layer. A retention layer is provided opposite the substrate. A liquid reflective layer is provided adjacent the retention layer, either adjacent to or opposite the expansion layer. The reflective layer is enclosed by a protective layer. Improved expansion and retention layers are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed relating to optical data storage media having two thermo-optically active layers which absorb light at distinct wavelengths--an expansion layer in which data appear as bulges formed upon the absorption of light, and a retention layer which fixes such bulges in place until it is selectively heated to a rubbery state permitting relaxation of the expansion layer and the consequent disappearance of the bulges. In accordance with the improvement, the retention layer is modified so that it absorbs a controlled amount of light at the wavelength which is absorbed by the expansion layer, with the result that it absorbs light at both wavelengths rather than just one. Direct heating of both layers by light absorption during recordation, and accordingly a faster recordation response, are thus achieved.

Abstract: Recordable/erasable optical storage media are disclosed. The medium of the present invention generally comprises a rigid substrate, an expansion layer, a retention layer, and a dual-metal reflective layer. A single, active layer may be substituted for the expansion and retention layers. A protective layer may or may not be present. The dual-metal reflective layer comprises a first metal sublayer and a second metal sublayer with a graded first metal/second metal alloy at the interface of the first metal sublayer and the second metal sublayer. Methods for applying the dual-metal reflective layer to a polymer-coated substrate and substrates produced by such methods are also provided.