Abstract: An improved bar code reading system for reading bar codes having a wide range of intensity of reflected radiation includes repeatedly scanning a beam of radiation across a bar code containing bar and space code elements; monitoring the number of scans of the beam across the bar code; sensing the radiation reflected from the bar code and providing a bar code signal representative thereof; the bar code signals are amplified at one of a number of different gains, and a different gain is selected for each scan. Also disclosed is an improved bar code reader system for reading bar codes of diffuse bar elements and specular spaced elements.

Abstract: Device for holding an optically readable disc in a flat position during playing has concentric annular depressions to which vacuum is supplied by a passage to a rotatably journalled connection having an airtight lead-through.

Abstract: A checkout system includes an optical scanning device removably mounted on the handles of oppositely positioned grocery carts to enable a operator to remove a purchased merchandise item from one of the carts and to move the item past the scanning device for deposit in the second grocery cart. An electrical cable connects the scanning device to an electrical outlet in the floor adjacent the carts. A second embodiment provides a support member removably mounted to the handle of a grocery cart containing purchased merchandise items and extending outwardly from the cart to support the scanning device adjacent the handle allowing a checkout operator to check out the purchased merchandise items located in the grocery cart utilizing the scanning device.

Abstract: A disc loading structure capable of safely and effectively carrying out a disc loading operation free from mistake. The disc loading structure includes a sensor group consisting of a plurality of disc detecting sensors each selectively exhibiting a detection mode and non-detection mode. The sensor group is arranged so as to permit the disc loading structure to properly accomplish the disc loading operation such as detection and ejection of any foreign article inserted therein, discrimination and loading of each of discs different in size and the like, depending upon a pattern of combination of the detection and/or non-detection modes of the sensors.

Abstract: A system for reading and writing binary information onto at least one optical recording surface of a magneto-optical disk includes a hydrodynamic bearing for traveling above the optical recording surface of the magneto-optical disk, an objective lens carried by the hydrodynamic bearing for focusing laser light to heat selected areas on the optical recording surface, and a magnetic writing head also carried by the hydrodynamic bearing for recording selected magnetic orientations, representing binary states, onto the heated areas on the magneto-optical memory disk.

Abstract: A portable bar code scanner includes a housing member having a supporting surface which includes an aperture extending in a horizontal direction through the housing member. The supporting surface includes a recessed portion which is in communication with the aperture and which supports a portable bar code scanner. A mirror member mounted within the aperture and at an angle to the supporting surface deflects the scanning light beams through the aperture for scanning coded indicia positioned adjacent the aperture. A second embodiment discloses a support member slidably positioned within the aperture from either end of the aperture in which is mounted a mirror member for deflecting the scanning light beams through the support member and the aperture.

Abstract: Television systems that transmit dither-quantized samples for psychovisually compressed signalling are improved by substituting novel multi-phase dithers of the invention for previously known multi-phase dithers. The improved dithers comprise ordered-dither frame patterns and typically have sixteen or eight phases and sixteen sizes of dither samples. A first variety, not self-interpolating, merely shifts the frame-pattern structure from frame-to-frame. Methods and means are disclosed for generating novel self-interpolating dithers with sixteen or eight phases, including preferred dithers. Self-interpolating dithers are generally superior and they also facilitate receiver display of more quantum levels than actually transmitted.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for attaching a bearing cartridge to an actuator arm assembly in a disk drive. The bearing cartridge includes the actuator shaft, an outer sleeve and a set of bearings. The actuator arm assembly has a bore therein which receives the bearing cartridge. The bearing cartridge is anchored to the actuator arm assembly at a single location.

Abstract: An information recording and reproducing apparatus includes a housing provided with an opening through which an optical card is inserted into the housing and which is selectively opened and closed by a shutter, and rollers for conveying the inserted optical card to a recording/reproducing section. The shutter and conveying rollers are simultaneously moved by a motor through a transmitting mechanism.

Abstract: A memory cartridge loading/unloading device is disclosed which loads and unloads a memory cartridge from an apparatus for using the memory cartridge by means of motor driving. In the loading/unloading device, until the memory cartridge reaches a given position within a main body of the apparatus, the memory cartridge is pulled in by rotating a roller which presses against the memory cartridge such that there can be produced a given friction force with respect to the memory cartridge. When the memory cartridge reaches the given position, then an engagement member is brought into engagement with the memory cartridge and then the engagement member is moved in a cartridge insertion direction by means of motor driving, so that the memory cartridge can be pushed into a connector disposed within the apparatus main body.

Abstract: In the NTSC color television system, a signal having a medium level in the three signals of the bands the color sub-carrier frequency of neighboring three scanning lines is substracted from the signal of the central scanning line of the three scanning lines, the resultant signal is a luminance signal containing no cross luminance, even if the composite video signal in the three scanning lines does not maintain vertical correlation.

Abstract: A compact disk player wherein more compact disks can be loaded within a limited space and can be reproduced continuously. A disk setting device on which the disks are placed is arranged as an up-and-down double structure. The disks laid on the disk setting device are lifted-up and lowered in conformity with the heights of a disk chuck, a disk clamp and a pick-up driving part, and also compensated for by a height compensating device for compensating for the difference in height of the disk setting device in order to accomplish the proper chucking of the disks and reproduction of material recorded on the disks.

Abstract: Transaction inquiry is carried out using a transaction inquiring apparatus comprising a card read/write section for reading/writing transaction information from/in an IC card, a display section for inputting designation of the information to be inquired and also displaying transition information retrieved, a line control device for communicating with a center office storing transaction information, a retrieval section for retrieving information out of the transaction information, and a control device for controlling these devices.

Abstract: A magneto-optical recording medium comprises a dielectric film disposed on a substrate and formed, for example, of silicon nitride, of for example, 65 nm thickness, a magnetic film disposed on the dielectric film, and formed, for example, of, rare earth-transistion metal alloy thin film, of, for example, 35 thickness, and a reflective film disposed on the magnetic film, and formed of titanium nitride, by, for example, sputtering.

Abstract: An illumination type optical recorded information reading device including a plurality of light emitting elements, a photo detector for detecting optical indication on a media and converting the detected indication to electrical information, a plurality of driving elements for driving the light emitting elements, a driving current detector for detecting a total value of driving currents flowing through the driving elements, and a controller for comparing the total value with a reference value and generating a control signal to the driving elements so as to make a difference between the total value and the reference value constant.

Abstract: An optical recording medium having at least one data track and at least one clock track including clock bits provided in a predetermined optical pattern, in which the clock track comprises regular, periodical clock bits arranged regularly in a line and at least one irregular clock bit disposed in the line, breaking the regularity of the periodical clock bits. When a PLL circuit is reinstated into a locked state after it has been unlocked, a leading word can be identified by the irregular clock bit provided in the clock track. This enables data reading thereafter to be accurate.

Abstract: A television signal processor which is compatible with the existing television systems and is capable of producing television signals having a larger aspect ratio than the standard aspect ratio has an arrangement such that, at the transmission side, a main signal and a multiplex signal are produced from an electrical signal obtained by receiving an original image through processes such as time-axis compression, time-axis expansion, and chrominance signal processing, and are subjected to non-time-axis multiplexing. The processor has a further arrangement such that, at the reception side, there are provided a circuit for separating the non-time-axis multiplexed signal, a circuit for separating a luminance signal and a chrominance signal, a circuit for demodulating the chrominance signal, a circuit for effecting time-axis compression, a circuit for time-axis expanding the time-axis multiplexed signal, and a circuit for time-axis compressing the non-time-axis multiplexed signal.

Abstract: In a television sync signal one or more of the post-equalizing pulses of the vertical blanking interval is/are altered in duration to provide information to a receiving circuit.

Abstract: A bar code reading arrangement. A laser beam is scanned across a bar code which may be on a remote surface. Two detectors receive light reflected from the bar code, and convert it to an electrical signal. The detectors are laterally spaced on opposite sides of a line defined by the bi-section of the triangular area which is scanned by the laser beam. The electrical signal from the detector receiving only diffusely reflected light is used to identify the content of the bar code. The invention may be practiced in a hand-held unit with trigger means to initiate the bar code reading operation.

Abstract: A communications system having centralized management and multiply-hierarchical addressing schemes is disclosed. The system may be used in connection with supplying video, audio and data such as weather-related text, graphics, and information to affiliated receivers in a network for broadcast or display. Receivers may be addressed singly or in groups and allowed to determine their own addresses from information keyed, directly or indirectly, to a receiver characteristic such as the unit serial number. Lists of commands denominated "scripts" and transmitted to receivers are used for controlling the various modes or states of the receivers.