Abstract: An automatic record medium player for automatically playing a record medium. The player includes a motor, a first drive member coupled to the motor for driving the record medium, a second drive member coupled to the motor, an automatic operation member for automatically supplying and/or withdrawing the record medium to and/or from the first drive member, a clutch member for selectively coupling the second drive member to the automatic operation member and a control member for controlling the clutch member in response to the automatic operation member.

Abstract: The system includes containers for storing articles to be distributed, and a computer-controlled locking system for controlling access to the articles. The initial inventory of articles stored in the container is bar-coded, and the bar code data provide a digital data record of articles stored and locked in the container. A central computing unit (CCU) includes a housing with locked compartments for receiving and storing a plurality of hand-held portable transaction monitoring units (PTMUs) used to record transaction data from the sale of articles in the container. Each PTMU contains a microprocessor and data storage for communicating with the CCU and with memory in the cart. A security door in the CCU is selectively unlocked for obtaining a selected PTMU only in response to a coded ID input identifying the particular user of the PTMU. The PTMU is then mounted on the article container to off-load a digital data record of the inventory of articles stored in the container.

Abstract: A disk drive spindle and spindle motor assembly is mounted on a support platform which is translated reciprocally toward and away from a stationary disk cartridge by a pair of rotationally driven cranks positioned along opposite sides of the platform. The cranks are coupled to the platform by eccentrically mounted support rods loosely captured in the span between dual sets of parallel, compliant leaf springs attached to side edges of the platform. The rotational cranks are provided with a degree of overtravel to forcefully urge the platform, when in the operational position, against precision stops formed on the underside of a mount plate located between the platform and disk cartridge. The spatial relationship of a disk engaging surface on the drive spindle relative to the precision stops is such as to precisely position the rotating disk in parallel with the tracking axis of the read/write head of the system.

Abstract: An IC card with a bus structure switchable between a narrow bus mode (such as an 8 bit bus) and a wide bus mode (such as a 16 bit bus). A plurality of memories are provided (in the example preferably 8 bit memories). Addresses are coupled to the IC card for activating the memories in parallel when in the wide bus mode or in selectable sequence when in the narrow bus mode. The data lines of the memories are connected by bus switching means to couple the memory data lines to the output bus so that data exchange is in parallel between both of the memories and the 16-bit bus in the wide bus mode, and is between individual ones of the memories and only the 8-bit bus in the narrow bus mode. The result is efficient use of both semiconductor memories in both the wide bus and narrow bus modes, with automatic switching between modes on the IC card in dependence upon a logic signal derived from the external terminal which defines the mode in which the IC card is intended to operate.

Abstract: A disc player is disclosed which comprises a casing having a disc inserting opening, a turntable driven by a spindle motor, a clamper arm operating mechanism for operating a clamper arm in cooperation with said turntable, a centering mechanism for guiding a disc from the disc inserting opening onto the turntable, the centering mechanism including a pair of centering arms each having at distal end portions contact portions which are to be brought into contact with a circumferential edge of the disc, the centering arms being pivotally movable at a predetermined distance in the disc inserting opening, a detecting pin for detecting a condition that the disc is laid on the turntable; a separating mechanism for separating the pair of centering arms away from the circumferential edge of the disc when the disc is loaded on said turntable in cooperation with the clamper arm operating means.

Abstract: A system for reading from and for writing data into electronic tags which may be associated with objects which are moving with respect to an interrogator, or may be located in fixed positions in the path of a moving interrogator. The interrogator, which is stationary if the tag is moving, sends a continuous RF signal to the remote tag. The tag backscatter-modulates the received RF signal with data temporarily or permanently stored in the tag, including, for example, data associated with the object to which the tag is attached, for example, its identity or contents. The system of this invention uses a very efficient encoding technique for the data which is backscatter-modulated by the tag and received by the interrogator. The backscatter-modulated signals are made up of signals of first and second frequencies f.sub.1 and 2f.sub.1, respectively, where the second frequency 2f.sub.1 is twice the first frequency f.sub.

Abstract: A machine readable binary code which is dynamically variable in size, format and density of information is provided. The binary code is formed as a matrix having a perimeter and data contained therein. The perimeter is provided with density indicia for indicating the density of data contained within the matrix. The perimeter is also provided with size indicia for indicating the size of the matrix. By utilizing the density indicia and size indicia, a scanning device is able to calculate the size and information density of the binary code.

Abstract: A contactless coded key system, comprising a key 2 and key terminal each housing circuitry enabling information to be transferred from terminal to key, and vice versa, and enabling the key to be powered from the terminal. This circuitry also comprises a light emitting diode and phototransister by means of which the presence of a key in the terminal is sensed. In a fuel monitoring application for a vehicle fleet, for example, each driver has a key enabling him to draw fuel from one or more depots each including a terminal. Fuel dispensed can be logged and fuel economy calculated.

Abstract: A magnetooptic disk has circumferentially-spaced-apart, radially-aligned embossed sector areas which indicate data storage tracks. The sector areas include embossed signals which indicate track-following information, and in a second area which trails the track-following information, track-seeking information is carried by the embossed signals. A magnetooptic coating covers the entire disk including the embossed sector areas. Readback clock synchronization signals are recorded over the track-seeking area to enable synchronizing a readback phase-locked loop such that more of the areas between sector areas can be used for recording data signals. During track seeking, the track seek controlling embossed signals are read using intensity demodulation, while in track following, during a readback, the clock signals recorded over the embossing are read for synchronizing the readback circuits. During recording, the synchronization signals are recorded over the embossed area dedicated to track seeking.

Abstract: A narrow-bodied single-and twin-windowed hand-held, laser scanning head for reading bar code symbols includes at least one window mounted at the rear region of the head, and through which either the incident beam going to the symbol and/or the reflected beam returning from the symbol, passes unobstructedly and exteriorly of, and past, the front and intermediate body regions of the head. A field-replaceable laser tube arrangement, a laser tube and method of making the same, an arrangement for and method of controlling a scanning system, optical passive elements for increasing the depth of field, a trigger protective device, and a one-piece support bench and method of fabricating the same by mass-production techniques are also disclosed.

Abstract: A signal interface to a low-cost portable electronic token data module, which can be used with a wide variety of computers, including a tremendous variety of personal and other computers, as long as the computer includes an interface to RS232 (or some comparable stardard). The token has a one-wire-bus interface, implemented in a battery-backed open-collector architecture, which provides a read/wire interface. The communication protocol expected by the token has been specified so that the token never sources current to the data line, but only sinks current. The communication protocol also includes time-domain relations which are referenced to a very crude time base in the token, and the system must preserve timing relations which will be satisfied by tokens in which the time base takes on any of the wide range of forseeable speeds.

Abstract: A multi-disk player according to the invention has a disk table which comprises (1) a large size disk mounting section on which a large size disk is mounted, (2) a turn table rotatable about an axis which is a predetermined eccentric distance away from the axis of the large size disk mounting section. The turn table includes thereon a plurality of small size disk mounting sections on each of which a small size disk is placed. The eccentric distance is determined such that the axis of each small size disk mounting section is made to coincide with the axis of the large size disk mounting section by rotating the turn table.The player having such an arrangement has a disk driving device whose circuit structure is simplified, and solely plays a plurality of types of disks having different diameters such as CDs and LDs.Further the player plays a disk arbitrarily selected from a plurality of small size disks and successively plays a plurality of small size disks.

Abstract: A machine provides automated counting of integrated circuit (IC) parts packed in a shipping tube which may be, for example, an opaque shipping rail for translation of the rail along the track. An elongate support or track receives and holds a shipping rail. A first rail sensor positioned adjacent to the track senses the presence of a rail on the support track and generates a start count signal. A second rail sensor positioned along the track generates a stop count signal after the scanning of the rail by the sensors is completed. An IC parts sensor provided by an inductive proximity sensor is positioned adjacent to the track between the first and second rail sensors and senses the presence of IC parts contained in the shipping rail. A roller drive translates the shipping rail and the sensors relative to each other for scanning of the rail by the sensors. The parts sensor generates parts counting signals from the start count signal to the stop count signal.

Abstract: A multi-disk player having a magazine for accommodating plural disks and a playback means. The playback means moves along an axis parallel to the axis of alignment of the disk in the magazine to a position adjacent a selected disk. The selected disk is extracted from the magazine and moved to a playback position in the playback means. Movement of the disk is under control of a motor, a movable member which responds to the motor and a tray engagement member which is actuated by the movable member. The movable member also actuates camming mechanisms which control the clamping and unclamping of the disk in the playback position and the unlocking and locking of the pick up means.

Abstract: A tilting mechanism for the optical pickup unit of an optical information record/playback apparatus such as a video disk player. The optical pickup and a support member for slidably supporting the pickup are tilted together by a tilting servocontrol. The tilting mechanism includes a movable fulcrum about which the optical pickup and the support member are tilted. The fulcrum is moved depending on the position of the optical pickup or on a focusing error signal, so that the tilting servo-control is performed when the fulcrum is in an appropriate position with respect to the distance between the pickup and the disk.

Abstract: An IC card having a self-identification function in the card itself includes an input key for inputting a personal identification number (PIN), a comparator for comparing the PIN input via the input key with a prerecorded PIN. A transaction condition signal is produced when a match is found. An external terminal is provided for outputting to the outside of the card, e.g. a bank terminal, to enable a transaction using of the the card. An information storage circuit suitable for use in the IC card is also disclosed.

Abstract: An IC card reader/writer has a short-circuit detector for determining, when an IC card is inserted in the reader/writer, whether or not any of connecting terminals for feeding a current to the IC card is short-circuited, and producing a resultant signal representative of the result of determination. A control is responsive to the resultant signal for performing, when the resultant signal does not indicate short-circuit, control such that the current is fed to the IC card via the connecting terminals. A reference voltage generator generates a reference voltage, while the short-circuit detector determines whether any of the connecting terminals is short-circuited or not by using the generated reference voltage.

Abstract: An optical recording disc comprising a resin layer of resin material formed on a relatively rough surface of each transparent disc substrates, the resin material having approximately the same refractive index of light as the refractive index of the transparent disc substrate, and a recording layer formed on each of said resin layers. Accordingly, the optical recording disc enables a decrease in production costs and to write and read an information signal into and from the recording layer at an improved signal to noise ratio as compared to a conventional optical recording disc.

Abstract: A plurality of individual marks are imprinted in the surface of an object to form a plurality of substantially linear, rectangular arrays of preselected width in the surface of the object. Each imprinted substantially linear, rectangular array is spaced a preselected distance from each adjacent imprinted, substantially linear, rectangular array to provide a space of preselected width. The preselected width substantially linear, rectangular arrays and preselected width spaces are combined in alternating fashion to provide a bar code message in the surface of the object.

Abstract: A position indicating apparatus, particularly for overhead transport systems (1), includes a elongated code carrier (11) carrying multi-value code marks (17) along its length. A code reading device (12) secured on a transport carrier (4), such as a trolley, crane, or other traveling mechanism, reads the code marks on the code carrier. To prevent erroneous reading when the transport carrier (4) and thus the code reading device (12) is tilted or skewed with respect to the code carrier, and to ensure accuracy of position of reading of the code carrier, the code marks (17) are arranged on the code carrier (11), one next to another in a single row or track, and formed such that m of the code marks provides one code word, the code words being positioned one next to each other and appear only once, or are unique along the entire code carrier.